I’m running the London Marathon 2025 to fight for lung health!
Every year I am inspired by the runners in the London Marathon and wish I was able to do it but have believed I never could.
I’ll be turning 40 one month after the race and decided that this should be the year I do it.
Choosing my charity, I knew I needed one that would inspire me and keep me determined to complete the training and the marathon itself.
I chose Asthma + Lung UK because for the past 6 years my dad has been battling Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis - a non curable, life-limiting condition where the lungs become scarred and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. Every day is a battle for my dad and he has never let it stop him. In the last year alone, we’ve dragged him to Lapland where he steered a husky ride and danced with the elves and to DisneyLand Paris where he couldn’t speak for shock after riding Avengers Flight Force and Hyper Space Mountain with his grandson.
Unfortunately, over the last few months his breathing has become increasingly difficult and he has felt more unwell. And, in November, the day before I was offered this marathon place, he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Every ridiculously hard training step and race mile will be tackled with my mum and dad’s brave, never give up attitude in mind. It will be their determination and resilience that carry me over the finish line.
So please sponsor me and show them we are all in this together.
About Asthma+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 2025 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 Motivation
Thursday 2nd Jan Sadly, my dad, my reason for doing this, my reason for choosing this charity passed away just days before Christmas.Thank you to my Sponsors
£100
Sue & Ray
£105
Aunty Sue & Uncle Graham Xx
Hi Jo wishing you all the best with your training and for the Marathon itself! Alan would have been so proud of you, as we all are. Good Speed!
£52.50
Becky Gooding
Well done Jo this is amazing xxx
£50
Peter Chapman
Good luck with all your training Jo. Will be thinking of you on the day, hope the weather is kind to you. Lovely tribute to your dear Dad. Love Peter, Angela, Andrew, Philip and Jennifer
£54.60
Elaine Oddie
Well done Jo and good luck with the training.
£31.50
Nathan Warwick
Good Luck Joanna!
£50
Sharon And Brian Pickard
Good luck Jo. Lovely tribute to your dad. Best wishes Sharon and Brian
£105
Stuart, Amanda, Charlie & Jacquiline.
Go Jo we are with you every step of the way!
£100
Peter & Lynda Townsend
Amazing Jo, such a tough challenge for a great cause. Alan was a wonderful man & will be greatly missed. Good luck & much love to you & all the family xxx
£52.50
David & Maxine Brown
Hi Jo. Congratulations for being selected to run this years Marathon, and great that you are supporting a charity very close to your family's heart. I know that Dad will be cheering you on with the rest of us, every step to that finishing line. Best wishes Dave, Maxine & Dan
£20
Val Jones
£100
Chris And Paul Phillips
We are so proud of you Jo and supporting you all the way. Your dad will be watching over you with pride. Go Jo! Xx
£50
Chris Robbins
Good luck Jo this is an amazing thing to do and in memory of such a wonderful person - your brilliant Dad. Enjoy the day and atmosphere - he would be so proud of you. Much love Chris & Martin xx
£500
Kevin Horne
Hi jo Its great to see what you are doing dad would/is very proud..NTLA was greatly supported by alan over many many years We wish you and your family all the best .see you all on 21st jan xxx
£52.50
Debbie And Paul Blakeley
Well done Joanna, good luck on the day. It is a great cause to support in memory of your lovely Dad, we were very upset to learn of his passing so young. Best wishes Debbie and Paul and family
£63
Stuart, Alicia,freya & Theo
Amazing Jo! You’re Dad will be so proud.
£15
Tracy Stone
Good Luck Jo, your Dad would be proud! Best wishes Tracy xx
£23.10
Anonymous
Well done Jo. Your Dad would be so proud of you xx😘
£105
Trevor Wells
Have a good one Jo dad will be with you all the way and proud of you.
£105
Steve And Jean
We are all so proud of you Jo. Your dad will be there with you, every step of the way. Go smash it
£105
Jan, Roger & James Walton
For Alan - the finest host and purveyor of some extremely tall tales - a joy to be with. Go Jo! Love - Jan, Roger & James
£78.75
Jenny & Dennis
So sad to learn of the passing of Alan following his recent illness. To you, your mother and the rest of your family, Jenny and I and our family send deepest sympathies. Very best wishes on running the London Marathon for your Dad. You know he will be with you all the way.
£10
Louise Bantock
Well done Jo for taking on this amazing cause for your dad. Lou x
£23.10
Fred And Jane Webb
Hi Jo, I’ve just heard the news of Dad passing. Sending love to your mum and all the family. Xx All the best for the marathon xx
£20
Kerry Drake
£20
Gary, Becky, Oscar & Jack X
Good luck Jo I’m sure you’ll smash training and marathon day.. Your dad would be very proud x
£15.75
Daniella Carter
Sending much love to you xxx
£20
Eli, Dave, Joseph And Finlay
Wishing you all the best with your training Jo. Your dad would be incredibly proud of you - as he always was. Good luck xxx
£23.10
Kim Sawle
Very proud of you as I know your dad would be and he will be at your side all the way xx❤️
£22
Andrew Hemmings
Good luck Jo. The lemon party days were always good fun and your dad was a big part of that. Sure you will smash the marathon.
£250
Btmk Solicitors
Good Luck Jo, we’ll be thinking of you.
£31.50
Jane Mccarhy
Dear Joanna. Thinking of you all and we are all so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He will be right beside you always and is so proud of you all. Our dads will both be cheering you on and having a pint of Guinness together as you cross the finish line xxxx see you all soon. Love and hugs 💗💕❤️
£105
Mary Mccarthy
Dear Joanna. I am so sorry about your Dad Alan. He was your football buddy as well. We will all miss his company and friendship. Bravo for doing the marathon. He would be very proud of you. Hope to see you soon. Lots of love Mary xx
£200
Charles Maddy
Dear Joanna Good luck. Looking forward to celebrating with a glass (pint) of Tia Maria when you cross the finishing line. Every step you take, remember, you're not alone. X Lot of love Charlie and Maria xx
£50
Laura Decourcey
£100
Christina Maddy
Good luck Jo, you’ve got this! Xx
£23.10
Irene Hardy
So very sad to hear the news about Alan but will be routing for you Jo on the day of the Marathon ❤️
£31.50
Lorna
Best of luck Jo - a great cause
£23.10
Jayne Brook
What a wonderful dad & family you are blessed with. With love Jayne and Tony xx
£30
Catherine Gower
£105
Matthew, Laura, Oliver And Elodie
Go smash it Aunty Jo, we're so proud of you!!!
£20
Strictly Dance Classes
£23.10
Yvonne Moore
Donated in memory of your dad, Alan, Jo. We are sure his spirit and love will carry you through this arduous task. Good luck I done it in 2018 so I know the pain!!
£22
Joanna
You've got this Jo 🫶💪. Lots of love xxx 💕
£10.50
Jodie Brennan
Good Luck Jo, your Dad would be proud of you! We will be cheering you on! You can do it!! Xxx
£21
Steph, Adam, Erin And Nora
Go Jo! You’ve got this! So sorry to hear about your Dad. We will be cheering you on.
£15
Jenny, Paul, Niamh And Erin
You are an incredibly strong and inspirational friend, woman and daughter, Jo. Also definitely a bit crazy for signing up but we’ll be cheering for you all the way! Lots and lots of love, your number one pasta supporters xxxx
£21
Grace Anderson
You’ve got this Jo, proud of you xx
£10.50
Zoë Lane
Best of luck Jo! Your dad will be so proud of you! X
£21
Debbie Ford
Good Luck Jo! I’m sure your dad will be with you every step of those 26.2 miles😘
£15
Paminder
Jo..I was so sad to hear about Alan...I can't believe he didn't get more time with you all x
£31.50
Anonymous
Good luck Jo. I’m so sorry for the loss of your Dad my thoughts are with you, your mum and rest of your family.
£26.25
Olivia Bailey
Proud of you Jo ❤️
£100
Alex, Katrine, Sigrid & Markus
Go Jo! xx
£15.75
Julie Schneider
£100
Paul Bradley
You’ve got this Jo and you know your dad will be with you all the way. Love Tia and Paul
£20
Harv, Claire & Monty X
Good luck and a great cause.
£15
Sharon Ellis
Great cause Jo, you got this!
£40
Adam Fleming
£15
Helen Low
Your Dad will be so proud! Good luck, Lots of love Helen xx
£23.10
Alison Pickard
With love
£22
Matt And Emma Jellett
Best of luck Jo!
£23.10
Ellen Wright-martin
Good luck Jo! Your Dad would be so proud and we are supporting you all the way!! Xx
£15.75
Lisa & Ruocco Family
You have got this Jo! Your Dad will be so proud of you x Sending love and strength x Love Lisa & the Ruocco family xxx
£22
Pete And Tracey
Good luck Jo. Wonderful tribute for your Dad xx
£200
Charley Horne
Go for it jo your dad is very proud of all you do (( so am i ) xxc
£10
Amy Cleere
Good luck Jo x
£20
Daisy Stringer
Good Luck Jo! Amazing cause and I know your Dad would be super proud! You’ve got this 💫❤️ Daisy, Dan, Dylan & Mia Xxx
£20
Selene And Boys
I know you will smash it! He’s definitely going to be alongside you the whole time cheering you on! Well done Jo. He was such a lovely man, and what a wonderful way to honour him.
£100
Rob, William & Pippa
The fact you are running the marathon is amazing to us. We'll be supporting every step of your training (from the sofa in the warm & dry though, obviously) and can't wait to see you tackle the marathon in April We're very proud of you and this is a great way to honour your Dad xx
£22
Gemma Gilewski
What an amazing tribute to your dad Jo. I admire your strength in taking on such a challenge during this incredibly difficult time for you and your family. Wishing you all the strength in the world. Good luck xxx
£10.50
Emma Ambrose
Good luck Jo! X
£31.55
Good luck Jo. Well done for raising money for this worthy cause and in memory of your lovely Dad. He would be very proud of you xx