In memory of my wonderful Dad, I’m running the London Marathon 2026
I signed up to run for this amazing charity back in 2024 when Dad was still here and we fully believed he would be able to get to the race to cheer me on while I ran as a way to show him we were there for his fight against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. My place was confirmed November 2024, the day after we received the devastating news that as well as the terrible lung disease he was fighting, he also had cancer in his lung. Still, we put it down to fate and believed while he would be very poorly there was still hope he’d be there to at least see me at the finish. Sadly, the 2 conditions made each other worse and Dad had just a few weeks left. We lost him just before Christmas 2025.
I threw myself into training - using it as a chance to cry, a time to reflect and try to make sense of it all and always with the memory of how much Dad pushed himself to do despite the pain and fight for breath he must have been enduring. Unfortunately with just under 3 months to go, I suffered an Achilles injury that persisted for months and months and made me make the difficult decision to defer. Thankfully the charity could offer me a second chance for 2026.
I’ve been training slowly and carefully following the advice of the physio and with 24 days to go; I’m starting to believe I might actually get there!
So many of you donated last year and I’m forever grateful. If you didn’t get round to it last year, I’d love to make even more money for this amazing charity - funding the essential research to stop the suffering my dad went through.
On the 26th April, I will run with my name on my front and dad’s on my back so he can push me to the finish line.
About Asthma and lung UK:
Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a lung condition. I want to make a difference. I'm running the London Marathon 2026 for Asthma + Lung UK, the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe. Every pound I'm able to raise will take us a step closer to a world where everyone has healthy lungs.
Just £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UK's nurses to answer a call on the Helpline, offering potentially lifesaving advice. I'd be very grateful for any donations you could make!
My Updates
New Year New Training
Sunday 22nd Feb I’ve been keeping quiet on here this year while I still work with the physio and at the gym to solve my injury issues.Thank you to my Sponsors
£20
Anonymous
£15.75
Alice Parker
Congratulations on your success yesterday. A huge accomplishment that I am sure you are very proud of! (Ronni Morris’s mum)
£20
Emma Lebeter
So proud of you! Love Emma, Darran, Iyla and Bump xx
£10.50
Debbie Marlow
Well done Jo, an amazing achievement x
£21
Carla Anderson
You did amazingly! Well done xox
£10
Mike Smith
Great work Jo!
£5
Rachel Watts
Good Luck Jo! xx
£20
Stef & Claire
Great effort Jo and all the best today!
£20
Emily Emery
£10.50
Paula X
Good luck Jo, you will be amazing!
£15.75
Jenni Kirkland
Good Luck Jo! You got this x
£10
The Pools
Good luck Jo 🏃♀️🍀
£10
Vikki Holmes
Good Luck Jo, go smash it Love from The Holmes’
£20
Emmanuel Anderson
Hi Mrs Sawyer, good luck for your Marathon tomorrow. I'm sure you'll do great. Can't wait to see your medal. Love, Emmanuel xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (one for every mile)
£15.75
Karen
Good Luck Jo, enjoy it you’ll be amazing Karen x
£21
Amanda Lock
£26.25
Carol Bebbington
Proud of you Jo Good luck - go smash it 💪🏻😘
£10
Louise T
Best of luck, go smash it!
£10.50
Emilia Larbey
Go Mrs Sawyer!!! You’ll be amazing!!
£25.20
Christine And Graeme
Good luck Jo!
£31.50
Oy Howard
What an amazing woman. Good luck lovely
£10.50
Charlie Kreyling
Well done Jo! Good luck, you’ve got this 🏃♀️💪🏼 xx
£52.50
Gemma Lee
Your Dad would be super proud! You have done amazing with your training and you will smash it on Sunday! All My Love Gemmalee!!❤️❤️❤️
£30
The Watson’s
Good luck! I’m sure you’ll smash it. Rob, Kim and Esmae x
£5.25
Amanda Barnett
Good luck ! You’ll smash it xxx
£21
Hannah Prince De Sousa
£25.20
The Bramleys
Go make your dad proud darling xxxxx You got this 💪 You're amazing xxxx
£10.50
Jodie Brennan
Good luck!! You can do it Jo!!
£10
Louise Hammond
Good Luck ! 🍀
£5
Laura Heward
Good Luck Jo. You got this 🙂 Laura x
£15.75
Steve Jetten
Good luck Jo!
£10
Claire Gardner
Good luck Jo! x
£20
Jenny Prince
Good Luck Jo xxx
£10
Ann Waumsley
Good luck Jo - I know this means a lot to you. Your dad will be super proud of you. Enjoy - it will be amazing 😘 x
£21
Darren Hodsoll
£20
Nichola Griffiths
You are amazing Jo. You can do it. Xx
£15
Laura, Bill, Faith And Grace X
All the best Jo! That finish line is waiting for you, you’ve got this 💪🏃♀️ Lotsa love! 🫶
£100
Matty, Laura, Oliver And Elodie Xx
Good luck Aunty Jo! Go smash it! We're so proud of you!
£15
Lisa Ruocco
Good Luck Jo! You have worked so hard towards this! You can do it! x Love Lisa , Dan, Lucas & Sienna Ruocco xxx
£50
Laura Decourcey
Well done Jo x
£10
Jenny
Well done Jo, you’re doing fantastically! Love from Jenny, Alan and Frankie
£5.51k
