There’s no way to manage grief, but training gave me a focus

Pneumonia changed my life

“I had pneumonia when I was 14 and it changed my life. I was in a medically induced coma for two weeks. My right lung had collapsed.  

It was a bit of a touch-and-go situation, and the doctors tried to bring me out of the coma a couple of times, but I wasn’t well enough. I spent a month in hospital, followed by months of rehab and about six months off school after that. 

Today, after my battle with pneumonia, I live with bronchiectasis. Four years ago, I was told I have around 52% lung function – with my condition described as going from ‘moderate’ to ‘severe’ by my doctors. 

I haven’t been hospitalised for a while, but I often end up with pneumonia, which is really scary. 

I tend to catch the symptoms early now and start antibiotics, so I only have 24 hours of feeling poorly before I pick up again.

I decided to run in mum’s memory

“Lung health is a cause that hit close to home. Not just in how it’s affected me, but my entire family. 

My mum Margaret passed away in May 2025 due to a type of interstitial lung disease. We were told she would have about six months, but she passed away within two days. It was hard to process this at the time. 

Running the London Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK felt like an opportunity to raise awareness around the conditions that affected my family and millions more people across the UK.  

And it felt like a way to honour my mum’s memory. There’s no way to manage grief, but training gave me a focus.”  

My husband has been my rock

“I had only ever run up to 5km until the beginning of last year, and stepping up to get marathon-ready was pretty tough! 

My amazing husband Matt was so supportive throughout my training and decided to run the London Marathon alongside me.  

Since we got together, Matt has supported me in every way with my lung condition. He’s been my rock through all the highs and lows of living with bronchiectasis.  

I couldn’t ask for a better running partner.” 

My mum still gives me strength every day

“My training for the marathon was a physical and mental battle, but I never gave up.  

When you have bronchiectasis, you’re told that if you’re feeling more breathless than normal you may be having a flare-up.  

If I’m running and I’m getting out of breath, it becomes a mental battle of me telling myself, ‘It’s OK, it’s expected’. It’s still something I’m trying to get used to. 

Whenever training got especially difficult, I just thought of my mum. My mum gave me strength every single day, and she continues to do so.” 

Reaching the finish line was incredibly emotional

Running the London Marathon wasn't just about completing 26.2 miles. It was about proving to myself that my lung condition doesn't have to stop me pursuing goals.  

It allowed me to share Mum’s story and proudly have her picture on my top for thousands to see. All of this while raising vital funds for a charity that supports people facing similar challenges every day.  

Reaching the finish line that day was incredibly emotional. It felt like a celebration of resilience, gratitude, and remembrance all at once.”