Imogen Roberts

FOR TAID 🪽

26.2 miles - each step in Taid’s memory ❤️

I’m running the London Marathon 🫣 

In 2024, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with tuberculosis worldwide. 1.23 million people died. TB remains one of the world’s biggest infectious killers and yet, for so many of us, it feels like a disease that belongs to another time, another place, another world. Until it became our world.

Last year, my Taid was diagnosed with TB. He was a man who had always been so full of life. He loved running. He took part in marathons. He was the kind of person who never seemed to stop, but TB changed everything in such a short space of time. 

The isolation. The illness. The loss of strength and independence. Watching someone you love go from being so full of life to becoming so desperately unwell is something I will never forget. Loosing him following TB with no real knowledge prior that the complications that came with this condition could and would cause his passing was heartbreaking.

That’s why I’ve chosen to run for Asthma + Lung UK ❤️

They’re working to improve the lives of people affected by lung conditions through vital support, campaigning and importantly for me - funding research to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease, including research into tuberculosis.

I know how much he would have loved this.

I can picture him telling everyone that his granddaughter was running the London Marathon. I can imagine how proud he would have been. Every single mile will be for him - for the man who taught me to make the most of life. For the runner who inspired me. For the Taid who was always proud of me.

And for the millions of people around the world who are affected by TB and lung conditions every year.

I want to turn something that broke my heart into something that can help make a difference.

I want to help fund research into better treatments and better outcomes for people like my Taid.
I want to raise awareness.
I want to help people understand that TB is still here.

A run in memory of the man who first taught me to love running. Popsy’s legacy. Every step for you. ❤️

London Marathon, here we come. 🏃🏼‍♀️❤️