Tessa Rusden

On the 5th July 2023 we both received a phone call from our dad who told us that Mike, my sister's partner, had had an asthma attack and had very sadly died.  

Even writing this now, we can still feel the shockwaves that hit our sister, their little boy and our whole wider family with this very sudden and traumatic event. No one could prepare Bex and Remy for the impact this unexpected loss had - Mike was a young, healthy American living here in the UK with the rest of his life ahead of him. He was charismatic, funny, witty, intelligent and a wonderful daddy to their little boy Remy. He would have turned 40 this year and is so very missed by everyone who knew him.  

Amidst this tragedy came a wonderful and wide community of family and friends (both in the UK and US), who have supported Bex and Remy these past 18 months. We are so grateful to you all and now ask for some further help. 

As we continue to learn to navigate life without Mike, we have decided to run the London Marathon to raise vital funds for Asthma + Lung UK. The charity's mission is to fight for everyone’s right to breathe and more often than not, people don't realise the daily difficulties and danger that asthma sufferers live with. So we are doing this for you Mike, and everyone else impacted by asthma and lung conditions. 

About Me 

Deciding to apply to run the London Marathon was a very emotive decision I took when heavily pregnant with my third child. I picked up the phone to my brother to triple check I wasn't going mad and by coincidence, he also had the same idea. We decided to apply together and tell Asthma + Lung UK about our, Bex and Remy's story. Three months later they graciously offered us both a place by which time I had just given birth to my little girl, Octavia ❤️  

I historically hate running and hadn't run more than 5k before I started training for this. Having had two of my three children close together also means I’m definitely not as fit as I have been in previous years. So to say it's going to be a challenge is an understatement 😂🏃

HOWEVER people who know me know I am incredibly persistent and do not give up easily. I have been so surprised at how much I have already enjoyed the training and the small wins each run has given me. I am insanely determined about doing this and completing the gruelling 26.2 miles, which I know Mike would believe I am fully capable of doing. He was a massive advocate for mind over matter and I know he's looking down on Jonners and me as we train for this crazy challenge! 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts in advance; we massively appreciate anything you can donate to either of our pages.  

Thank you so much, 

Tess & Jonners