Iyanka Cooray

I’m running the London Marathon 2025 to fight for lung health!

After 9 years of trying without any luck, I am delighted to finally earn a place in the London Marathon for 2025! It has been an absolute dream of mine to one day attempt this Iconic 26.2 mile run in my hometown, and I can’t wait to get going. I will be running for Asthma + Lung UK, the only UK charity that fights for everyone’s right to breathe.

As some of you might know, in May 2023, my wife Jayathri suffered acute respiratory failure where her lungs failed and deteriorated at an alarming pace, losing nearly 90% of her lung functionality. She spent 6 weeks in hospital, 3 of those in Intensive care, where she was put on a ventilator and was in a critical, life threating condition.

Thanks to the brilliant teams at Darent Valley hospital in Dartford and St Thomas Hospital in London, she has since made a wonderful recovery with the help of 6 cycles of Chemotherapy and controlled medication. During her hospital stay, she was diagnosed with a rare condition known as Anti synthetase syndrome which is a is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory myopathy, arthritis, fever, and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Every minute, someone in the UK is diagnosed with a lung condition. I want to make a difference in helping others like Jayathri, and their families fight similar illnesses. 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, even if means sharing this page with someone who might want to help. Thank you!