Login
  • Support number
    0800 008 7054
  • Office number
    0207 299 6654
  • Support in other languages
  • Become a member
  • Donate Now
Login

Mark's London Marathon fundraiser

Team London Marathon 2026

Our Group/Family

My Activity Tracking

300
kms

I’m taking on the 2026 London Marathon for Ovacome – and I’d love your support 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

This year in April, I will be running the London Marathon for Ovacome, in support of my wonderful sister-in-law Gemma.


Last summer, our family was rocked by Gemma’s sudden diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer, which came out of nowhere. 


She is currently several months into her treatment, having undergone several rounds of chemo - and her bravery and resilience are inspiring to all who know her.  


Gemma ironically herself has spent years working as a consultant oncology surgeon helping others combat cancer through her work. She has helped save so many lives, and as well as being adored by her family, she is loved by so many who know her, who work alongside her, and who have been treated by her over the years.


I am proud to be embarking upon this challenge, which is one of a few fundraisers that we will be doing collectively.


For me personally, it certainly will be a challenge. You’ve heard of ‘couch to 5k’ but this really will be more like ‘fridge to marathon’, Its something that I’ve certainly never contemplated - in truth running for the bus is as close as it’s got in recent times!! 

Having hit 50 last year, I have since been adapting my training to build up and know my body to prepare for the big day, while also learning the art of proper hydration as a single kidney runner! But I am relishing the challenge,  and hopeful that I can raise as much money as possible for this wonderful cause.


If you can please help with a sponsorship, I would so much appreciate your kind generosity and support. 

Please also feel free to share this page with as many people as possible, and help to make a difference - thank you so much.


Who Are Ovacome?


In April 2026, I’ll be part of a wonderful team of runners who are running the London Marathon to raise vital funds and awareness for Ovacome, the UK’s ovarian cancer support charity. 

They provide expert support, trustworthy information, and a welcoming community for anyone affected by ovarian cancer – whether you’re living with the disease, supporting someone who is, or worried about your risk. They’re a constant for many people facing the unknown, and they receive no government funding, so every donation really does make a difference.

Ovacome’s specialist support team helps those affected navigate treatment, care and life beyond the disease through the charity’s telephone support line, email, and 24-hour forum. They host online and in-person groups, workshops, and events where people affected can meet others in similar circumstances, share advice, make friends, and offer encouragement to one another in a safe environment.

If you can spare a few pounds to support my marathon challenge, you’ll be helping someone access life-changing support when they need it most. Just £28 could provide an hour of 1-1 specialist support for someone affected by ovarian cancer. £124 could cover the cost of running an in-person support group session for 12 people.

Help me make a difference. Share this page with your friends, family, colleagues, and on social media to help spread the word.

Thank you! 💙

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£3,112 + £406.05 GiftAid

My Goal

£2,500

Select amount to donate

£25
£50
£75
£100
£

I'd like to make this donation

Donate

All payments are secure & encrypted

My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

My Updates

I did it!!!!

Saturday 2nd May
So, last Sunday was the big one!!!
Months of training and runs and it was time to go way out of my comfort zone. What was to follow was an experience of a lifetime.

We arrived in London on the Saturday for the first part of marathon weekend - picking up my bib from the running show and looking at all the merch made it all so real. I was really going to do this thing!!
The night before was predictably not one where I got a lot of sleep - the anticipation was running high and I must’ve woke up at least  half a dozen times in the night.
Then off went the alarm, and soon I was off to get my travel connections. Runners were everywhere making their way to the marathon, it felt really real now. On arriving at Blackheath, the hour to kill went really quickly too.

Before too long, I was on the move and running the streets of London!
What an experience, the crowds lined the streets, music played, people offered high-5s and sweets and power-ups. They waved imaginative banners and cheered every runner on. The best of humanity was out on show and London was putting on a spectacle in the best fashion.

Iconic landmarks came and went - the feeling of running over Tower Bridge was something I’ll never forget!!

Then I was halfway, and the Ovacome cheerpoint was there - what a boost - such lovely people had come to support, along with my family who had gathered with their Ovacome tops. The poignancy of seeing them as part of the cheer squad wasn’t lost on me with all the emotions that we are going through due to my wonderful sister-in-law suffering with this horrible condition. And her voice was most definitely amongst the loudest cheers of them all !! It gave me such extra energy ready to tackle the second half.

The second half was equally incredible / although definitely an extra test of endurance- I’d only gone as high as 25k before and here I was pushing myself to 42k on one of the sunniest days of the year!! So I had to really rely on listening to my body as to when to take gels, hydrate and the like. But I’m proud to have managed that side of things really well.

By 22 miles, I’d reached the Ovacome point again, another incredible boost from them coming into the final few miles which were becoming tough.
Thankfully my family had moved nearer the finish line and this time seeing them and hugging them around mile 25 gave me that final push. Another few iconic landmarks followed which also helped those last few miles go quickly. It was this point where one half of me wanted to get over the line, but the other half of me didn’t want it to end!!

However I did get to the line, 5 h 17 mins after I started, happy and proud with my efforts. My medal felt like my most prized possession in that moment.

It was lovely to go to the meet point afterwards to meet Imo and some of the Ovacome team and my fellow runners. and have a proper hug with my family. 

After a while we left to get the train, tired but happy. The streets of London were filled with medal wearers all wearily making their way around / but also wearing massive smiles.

This last week, I’ve been on such a high - I keep looking at pictures, watching videos, and wearing my merch. I even went out for an impromptu 5k run as I needed to go burn some energy!

Although I always intended this to be a one-off and planned to effectively hang up my running shoes after the marathon, I found myself entering the ballot for next years event!! I thought why not, only a 1 in 20 chance I’ll get in but if I do I’ll grab the opportunity without a second thought, such was my enjoyment of this incredible day. 

And if I do get lucky, I’ll certainly be wearing the Ovacome colours with pride again too - I feel I am part of such an amazing family with them, and it’s been such a privilege to run for them, to help promote all the incredible things that they do, for all the families affected by this horrible condition. 

But what a journey, what a day, what memories, and I’m very grateful to have had such an experience! I’d advise anyone to grab the opportunity if they can - something I hope I’ll be able to do again as well! 

Big day is nearly here!!

Friday 24th Apr
So only 48 hours to go!! Seems an age since my initial (and only!!) blog post here, but the work inbetween  has certainly been ongoing.

Pre-Xmas, concentrated on running up to 10k culminating in the 10k Xmas Cracker race in WsM which I was pleased to run in 53 mins.
Since Xmas, a more gradual build up of higher mileage. Completed a half marathon distance in 2h 13 mins, which knocked 2 mins off my PB which was my only other previous attempt at that distance 13 years earlier. 

Peak mileage was 25k a couple of weeks back. In truth, I planned that badly setting off way too soon after lunch and laboured on the heat, but I took some comfort afterwards by realising how bad my planning was, compared to my half which I still felt good during and after.

So Sunday’s run will be an extra 17k over and above anything I’ve ever attempted before, and it promises to be very warm!I’ll definitely be trying to manage my fuelling and to make sure I don’t under-hydrate or over-hydrate!

I shan’t worry about times and personal bests though  - that’s not the reason for the run. I’m proud to run for Ovacome and so grateful to everybody who has donated and proud of the team that I am part of . Together we’re raising tens of thousands of pounds from this run alone!!

Sunday will be an incredibly emotional experience , and I’m running for an incredible person who means so much to all of us, as well as running for all  those affected by this horrible condition.

I look forward to creating some incredible memories, getting some amazing photos and meeting some inspiring people.

Thanks though to everyone who had supported me on my journey so far , you are the best!!

First Run!!

Wednesday 10th Sep
Nice to get first run out the way! Dusted off the running app for the first time in 7 years, and did a 3 mile run in the drizzle along the seafront.
Conditions were perfect in truth and pleased to run that in 26 mins. Split timings showed I went off a bit quickly then tired, and with another 23 miles to fit in on top of that come April, it suggests rather a lot more training is needed!!

Thank you to my Sponsors

£20

Jennifer & The Muffins Team

£25

Squiff

Well done Ohhh Marky-Marky. Fantastic cause and I can't believe how damn happy you look while running.

£10

Tina Langston

£25

Rebecca, Nate And Boys

Thinking of you Gemma and sending love. Well done Mark!

£10

Caroline Rae

Well done Rosey xx

£20

James John

£120

Rob & Kate Stevenson

Got to get you over £3k for all your effort, go for it!

£10

Jp

£5

Lydia

I have had the privilege of working with Gemma on ward 78 and I am so sad to hear of her heartbreaking diagnosis. Thinking of you all. Good luck!

£10

Hannah Biddlecombe

Lots of luck, thinking of you all x

£10

Meryl. Kenton, Thomas & Oliver Simons

£15

Jason Rose And Jo Cooke

So proud of you bro! Go smash it, fabulous effort with all the training and running the race itself for a very worthy cause.

£25

Sarah Platt

Good luck for the run, it’s such a special day! Gemma is a wonderful person and I have been lucky enough to work alongside her for several years. Such a fantastic cause, well done!

£25

Scriv

Well done mate. You've got this!

£26.20

Rich

Good luck Mark , just imagine you are running for the train at Orpington station because you are late again and dropping socks out your trouser leg!! All the best mate !!

£10

Mike Brees

All the best Mark

£10

Helen Dunn

Best of luck Mark! Jo and I were good friends in primary school and I have fond memories of Gemma when she was around 3 years old.

£10

Michaela

Best of luck!

£25

Chris And Claire Van Brockhoven

Good luck Mark, it's a great cause you are running for. Cancer touches everyone and your fundraising will be a great help for the research into finding the cures

£10

Jon Adams

All the best Mark, hope you're wearing a West Ham top and finishing the race safely.

£25

James Livingstone

Good luck on Sunday Mark. Running for a great cause.

£25

Anonymous

£10

Richard Greer

Best wishes Mark for a great race, I hope you enjoy the experience. Well done for supporting a fantastic cause.

£20

Laura Eggels

£10

Sarah Caple

Good luck 🏃‍♂️💪👊

£25

Rob And Gill Cross

Well done Mark

£26.20

Perry Scofield-lamoon

Good luck mate. See you out there x

£100

Nick Kemp

Good Luck Rosie!!!

£50

Diana And Morgan

All the very best!

£25

Clare Martin

Best of luck Mark! Thinking of you all and sending love and strength.

£50

Helen B

Just doubled my December donation 🩷 sorry I can’t be there to cheer you on on the day but I will for sure be thinking of you. You really are a LEGEND xx

£25

Faye Britt

Way to go, Mark!!

£41

Kimberley And Liam

Best of luck Mark. Liam adored Ollie and you have all been so supportive.

£25

Ben

£25

Paul Jenkins

£50

Amanda Hawley

Good luck Marky. You are a hero 🙌 xx

£100

Stephen And Sarah Clow

Good luck Mark. We are thinking of you all. With love Steve, Sarah Tom and Matt

£25

Kirsten Keyse

Good luck Mark! Running late on a year 2 school run will put you in good stead for 26 miles!

£20

Chrissie Normile

Good luck Mark, what a great cause too. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2022, also out the blue but fortunately I was only Stage 1. I have the utmost respect and gratitude to all in Oncology. I wish Gemma well in her recovery.

£50

Joanne Wates

£200

Mcdonald’s

We are so so proud of you. You are a hero xxx

£10

Abygail Punch

Hi Mark, good luck!!! You won’t know me but Tom shared the link. Will be watching on the telly and cheering you on. Abby x

£20

Nazia Islam

£15

Majid Foroughi

Good luck Mark!

£25

Jackie Griffiths

Hi Mark, the magnitude of this undertaking is not lost on me having run it in 2023. It was one of the most humbling and heart warming experiences of my life. Running along side thousands of others all with stories of what it means to be human just like yours. Very best wishes to you and your inspirational sister-in-law Gemma

£25

Nigel Pollett

Good luck Mark !

£8

Anonymous

£100

Peter Stevenson

Mark, I wish you good luck. We are always thinking of you all and our Gemma Love Uncle Peter x

£100

Louise And Andrew Stewart

Mark, so proud of you and thankful that you are doing this and raising money in Gemma’s name - we’re all routing for you. We know you will smash it, whatever it takes! Give it everything!! With love xxx

£50

Helen Bradley

Mat the force be with you Mark, and huge respect for what you are doing to help . You are amazing. We will be rooting for ya 🩷

£100

Pam & Del Rose

Well done for running for such a good cause.

£25

Beth Haskew

£25

Lin & Roy Matthews

Well done Mark, take it steady beat 4 hours and we will double our donation

£20

Del

Good luck mate, great cause 👍

£25

Kate Langley

Amazing cause, well done, Mark! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly. We all love Gemma so much, and it’s wonderful that you’re doing this to help her and others facing this awful disease!

£20

Jayesh Patel

£5

Robyn

Hi, I am Tom's cousin, good luck with the marathon I'm sure you will smash it.

£10

Lorraine Francis

£26

Kirstie Perryman

£25

Matthew T

Best of luck, Mark. For Gemma ❤️

£25

Nicola Finch

Well done Mark and for such a worthy cause. Go smash it 🏃🏻. Best of luck

£25

Perry

Good luck mate. I’ll see you out there!! Great cause. All the best

£25

Del Willis

Well done Mark! X

£20

George Rose

You got this uncle!

£10

Richard Johnson

£10

Andrew Robinson

£50

Debbie Mcdonald

Brilliant idea Mark keep us posted re the training

£10

Beck Rawlings

£5

Ursh

The very best of luck to you. You don’t know me, but I know Tom.

£10

Rachael Hayward

Good luck Mark 👏

£20

Lisa Driscoll

Well done Mark - family must be super proud of you. Such a worthy cause, with cancer affecting so many

£10

Julie Chmielewski

Thoughts are with the whole family, go smash it Mark! Sending love

£25

Claire Riden

£50

Marisa Plested

Go Mark! Hope the training goes well, very worthy cause. Thinking of Gemma and the whole family, sending you all love ❤️

£20

Barry B

Fantastic cause Mark, and hats off to Gemma for being a hell of a fighter

£100

Rob Stevenson

Good luck, great cause for an amazing person.

£20

Toby Field

Well done for raising money for such an important cause Mark. All the best to Gemma and your entire family at this difficult time. I wish you all the luck for the long training runs over the winter.

£25

Jackie Penny

Love and prayers to all the family Mark . From Jax and family.

£25

Al Dennis

£10

Denise Wooster

sending love to my dear colleague and friend Gemma, thinking of you. You are inspirational Mark.

£50

The Waineys

Good luck Mark!!!!!

£50

Laura Coleman

Well done Mark! Gemma is an inspiration and a truly wonderful person and friend x

£5

Martin Bolton

£25

Jon Burt

Very best wishes for the training, prep and the run itself. A tough challenge and a very worthy cause.

£10

Kelly B

Love to all the family x

£50

Claire Newton

Well done Mark! Agree Gemma is amazing and an inspiration to us all x

£25

Wajid Darr

Good luck mate, first challenge is to get there on time

£25

Chris Howard

Good luck Mark - hope to see you one route somewhere!

£25

James Livingstone

Good luck Mark. Running for a worthy cause.

£25

Henry Bennett

£20

Hilary Moles

Good luck with your training. I worked with Gemma in Taunton. Thinking of you all

£25

Tom Baker

Good luck Mark!

£50

Emma Wotton

I am full of admiration for you Mark, taking on a huge physical and mental challenge but for such a hugely worthwhile cause. All the best in your training and love to all the family x

£25

Keiley

Good Luck Mark . I worked with Gemma in Taunton, a very special Dr 🥰Sending love and hugs to her from all of the Labour ward Coordinators at Musgrove xx

£20

Jane And Jonny Ashworth

£5

Bb

Go Smash it 🎉

£20

Andrea

Good luck on your amazing effort to complete the marathon and raise lots of money for Ovacare. Having worked with Gemma years ago, I can imagine she is totally smashing her treatment. Lots of love to her and anyone else in this situation.

£20

Rich Shinton

£100

David And Mavis Cass

Good luck Mark it’s only 26 miles but a truly great and worthwhile cause

£10

Ollie Rose

I didnt think you could run a mile let alone 26 😂

£50

Jo Rose

So proud of you for undertaking this amazing project. 🫶 Such a worthy cause and so close to our hearts. Get training Mr Rose!! Xxx

Show more