Jamie Bell

5 years later!

On 24th May 2026, I’ll be running the Edinburgh Marathon for Asthma + Lung UK, something that once felt completely unimaginable.

In July 2021, I had my first ever asthma attack. It was near-fatal. My heart stopped for four minutes, and I was placed in an induced coma. I went from never having had an asthma attack before to fighting for my life in a matter of moments.

The physical recovery was long, but the mental recovery took even longer. Learning to trust my breathing again was incredibly hard. Feeling breathless became terrifying. For a long time, my own body felt like something I couldn’t rely on.

When I eventually started running again, it wasn’t straightforward. Even as my body got stronger, my mind held me back. I reached a point where I physically could go further but mentally, the fear of becoming breathless wouldn’t let me push past it. Every hard breath reminded me of what I’d been through.

Running this marathon almost 5 years on is about more than the distance. It’s about facing that fear head-on and proving  to myself and to anyone living with asthma that it doesn’t have to define or limit what you can or can’t do. It’s taken years to get to this point, and every mile represents resilience, recovery, and determination.

Asthma + Lung UK supports life-saving research, provides vital support for people living with lung conditions, and works to ensure no one has to face breathing problems alone. By sponsoring me, you’re helping to fund research, improve treatment, and support others who may be at the very start of a journey like mine.

Thank you so much for any support, whether that’s a donation, a share, or words of encouragement, it’s much appreciated ❤️