Kit's 2026 London marathon

On 26 April I'll be running the London marathon for the 3rd time - the first was in 2012. Although I was lucky enough to get a ballot place (like gold dust) I have decided to use the opportunity to raise money for Alzheimers Research UK and the National Churches Trust.

It will be my 5th road marathon but 12 years since I last ran London in 3 hours 42 - let's see what the years and 2 children have done to my time, and my knees...

As many will know my lovely mum was diagnosed with Alzheimers some time ago. It's a terribly sad illness to see someone decline with and impacts significantly on those around them too. I hope by raising money for Alzheimers Research UK and their pioneering research into better ways to diagnose, treat and prevent dementia, that the future might be better for others.

The National Churches Trust is the charity I have worked for for over a decade. I strongly believe in the fantastic work that we do supporting volunteers and communities (with advice, resources, grants, and research) to look after, use and celebrate their church buildings, throughout the whole of the UK. The majority of these buildings are extremely valuable heritage assets, a significant part of our nation's heritage - places that deserve to be well maintained and places we should all feel welcome to appreciate and enjoy.

Not only are churches like free museums in the heart of every community, full of artwork, craftsmanship, history and stories but up and down the country they host vital services for their communities from debt advice, to foodbanks, to dementia cafes. National Churches Trust research found that £55 billion of social value is enabled by churches each year. And I know from personal experience how at home my mum feels in hers when the world around her is such a confusing muddle.