Charlotte's Giving Page

Here to honour those we’ve lost, support those still fighting, and celebrate the survivors. Playing my part to help fund a future without cancer. This is more than a race.

My Story

Why I’m taking on 26.2 miles... I’ve always known I wanted to run a marathon some day, but I also knew that when the time finally came, it had to be about more than just a personal challenge or a medal. It had to carry a weight far greater than the miles themselves. Cancer is a word that carries a heavy silence, but it is reality that many face daily. While I have been fortunate enough not to face it personally, I have seen the way it ripples through life - even impacting the lives of the people I love and care about most. I’m running for the man I never got to know. My grandad - or as we call him, dedo - passed away from lung cancer when I was just three months old. I never had the chance to hear his stories first-hand or see his smile, other than in photos yet, even now, he is spoken of with such love and high regard that he remains a constant presence in my life. This marathon is my way of honouring the man I never got to know, carrying his name and his memory with me every step of the way to that finish line. I am also running for the man who showed me how to fight. Growing up, I watched my dad go through his own battle with a "silent killer" - bowel cancer. It is a helpless feeling, watching someone you love face something so life-changing. It made me realise that a diagnosis doesn’t just affect one person; it affects everyone around them. I am beyond grateful that my dad is a survivor, but I know that for many, the story ends differently. What stayed with me most wasn't the fear of that time, but my dad’s incredible resilience. He chose to stay positive, to keep fighting, and to squeeze the most out of every single day. That motto has stayed with me ever since, and it will be what guides me through this journey. Next April, I’ll be taking on the Manchester Marathon (and now London Marathon!!). I know the road ahead is going to be tough, both physically and mentally. But I also know that this feeling is only a fraction of what those directly impacted by cancer endure every day. I’m doing this for the fighters, the survivors, and those we’ve lost too soon. Any support would mean so much - whether that’s a donation, no matter how small, or sharing my page. Every bit of support helps bring us one step closer to a world without cancer and help give more people a future they deserve. Dedo, you are my "why." Dad, you are my inspiration every single day. And to anyone touched by cancer— whether you are fighting or grieving - this journey is for you. Thank you x

My Video