Harriet Chester

London Marathon 2026

I’m running the London Marathon 2026 to fight for lung health!

Over the past year, my family went through one of the most frightening experiences imaginable. My four year old daughter, Maria, was rushed to the hospital multiple times with severe wheezing episodes each one a terrifying reminder of how vulnerable young lungs can be. Watching her struggle to breathe, hooked up to monitors, while doctors and nurses worked quickly around her, was nothing short of heartbreaking.

Maria was eventually placed on daily inhalers, and while they helped, they became part of our everyday life  a reality we never expected to face. No parent should have to watch their child fight for every breath. It was an emotional journey that opened my eyes to the challenges faced by so many living with asthma and other lung conditions.

That’s why I wanted to run this marathon to raise funds and awareness for asthma and lung health. The work done by charities in this field is vital, not just for treatment and support but also for life-changing research. I ran with hope: hope for better treatments, greater understanding, and a future where no child has to struggle like Maria did.

Just £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UK's nurses to answer a call on the Helpline and offer potentially lifesaving advice. I'd be very grateful for any donations you could make!

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

£10.50

Shirley Long

£25

Gemma Cockrell

Well done Harriet, it’s always great to hear that you just keep smashing them!

£25.20

Mark Humble

£26.22

Mel & Danny

Harriet - good luck from the 'Shire - you've got this!

£1.05

Anonymous

As someone who has had life threatening to severe asthma since I was 3, I can only sympathise with all that she had to endure. A mother’s love and support is priceless and I’m sure your help with go miles. Best of luck from your colleagues!

£26.25

Sarah Hubbard

Good luck I’m sure you’ll smash this

£2.63

Karisma Desai

£4

Nathan Davalou

Keep up the good work

£2.63

Meher Islam

£100

Piero

£2.63

Jennifer Manuel

Well done Harriet! The cakes are so good I came back 😂

£5

Daniéla Jackman-jones

You’ve got this! May you continue to have the strength and resilience to manage this with grace.

£2

Charlotte Granby

£10.50

Darren Hill

£36.75

Kevin Naylor

£5.25

Lauren Henton

£15.75

Hamish Inglis

£5.25

Connor

£10

Melissa P

Good Luck Harriet!

£2.10

Anonymous

£10

Charlotte Granby

£15.75

Alice Whitmore

£8.40

Ed Pennington-grove

£26.25

Anonymous

£2.50

William Cheal

£4.73

Jennifer Manuel

£18.90

Josh Hunt And Shawana Williams

Good luck with the run! Xxx

£10.50

Wendy Beckett

What a great thing you're doing. I've had asthma since I was 4 - in 50 years the treatments have developed enormously. If you ever want a neutral ear to talk, I know we've not met, but I can be found in the GAL.

£25.20

Dolores Mary Clare

Good Luck Harriet.

£5

Jessica Davies

£7.35

Lea Tom

Good luck Harriet 🙂

£3

Anonymous

£5.25

Georgia Blanks

Good luck!

£10.50

Mary W

Thanks to Grace’s bake sale

£5

Anonymous

£1.58

Poppy Austin

£5

Anonymous

£8

Caroline

£10

Abigail Macd

£2.10

Anonymous

Good luck! From a RIBA supporter

£5.25

Anonymous

£2

Anonymous

£10.50

Ireoluwa Laguda

£2.10

Anonymous

£1.05

Anonymous

£2.10

Anonymous

£10.50

Brett Fegan

£2.10

Stephanie Pisharody

£3.15

Anonymous

£2.10

Anonymous

£1.05

Molly

For a slice of cake at RIBA ! Best of luck with the marathon !!

£25.20

Maggie Vera

Best of luck Harriet. We're cheering for you!

£15

Stephanie Pisharody

Good luck Harriet - Grace is keeping us posted!

£15.75

Isabel Gomes

Good luck Harriet - great cause! xx

£5.25

Lara Caneppele

Best of luck!

£27.30

Robert Farrow

Good luck with the run Harriet! As an asthmatic myself and 2 children with chronic asthma I completely agree with your comments and am happy to give what I can to this excellent cause.

£5

Paola Ferraro

£15.75

Iain Barton

Good luck Harriet, and remember, the faster you do it, the sooner it'll be all over (plus the women's world record is a mere 2 hrs 9 mins).

£10

A Colleague

£5

James

£26.25

Nina Bondareva

Good luck Harriet!🏃‍♀️💪

£52.50

Chris Williamson

Good luck. Look around and enjoy it.

£350

John Harper

Best of luck Harriet, from the HO Quiz Team.

£26.25

John Arnold

I ran my first marathon when I was 40 and as it was the very first London marathon there were only 5,000 runners unlike these days. Go girl it is for a very good cause! Best wishes John

£25

Peter H

Good luck with the fundraising, the training, the race and, above all, your daughter’s health.

£15.75

Jody Nelson

Well done Harriet. Keep up the hard work!

£5.25

Anonymous

£10

Emma Kirk

Go Harriet! All the best in your efforts x

£25.20

Bal Gudu

All the best Harriet. I've suffered with asthma all my life and it's a real struggle when you're a child. Good luck.

£42

Chelsea Brazier

Run like the wind baby! So proud of you H xxx

£52.50

Bob & Sue

Good luck Harriet - fantastic that you are doing this. Bob & Sue

£26.25

Ann Colley

£21

Neil Newbury

Good luck! Fantastic cause.

£15.75

Vicky F-b

Good luck! So proud of you...remembering our 5k in the Olympic Park :-)

£42

Rose & Bob Atkinson

Well done Harriet!

£20

Michael Curtis

£10.50

Shanelle

Good luck, Harriet!

£25.20

John Mckibbin

Good luck Harriet

£10.50

H Mackinlay

Good luck Harriet!

£42

Alex Jessop-emmins

Run Harriet Run!

£24

Gary

Good luck Harriet!

£10

Paul H

A fantastic thing to do, although I don't want to hear any moaning in the office about blisters!

£40

Nadia Shakir

You got this 💪

£15

Lisa K

Good luck!

£21

Sian Williams

£126

Kevin Cobbold & Family

Keep going, it's all for a good cause, you're doing great.

£25.20

Aline, Rob, Orson & Jude

Run well! Well done!

£15.75

Gemma B

£10.50

Adama Jatta

£10.50

Carole Allen

Wishing you every success with the London marathon an excellent cause !

£52.50

Rebecca Searle

Go H 🏃‍♀️

£10

Jennifer England

Good luck! 🏃🏻‍♀️

£30

Carole Kliger

All the best Harriet

£23.10

Jen Clare

£15.75

Rea Cole

You got this Bo! Also a charity close to my own heart. Xx

£23.10

Lesley Aldridge

Good luck Harriet, your’ll smash it xx

^