London Marathon for the Oliver King Foundation

Every heartbeat counts — and for some, access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death. The Oliver King Foundation is a charity dedicated to saving young lives by increasing access to defibrillators across the UK and beyond. Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death in young people, yet it’s often survivable — if the right equipment is close by. That’s why this work matters. That’s why I’m proud to support this charity. And that’s why I’ll be running the London Marathon in their name.

In 2022, I lost my dad suddenly to a heart condition. He was on a remote Greek island at the time — a place full of beauty, but far from emergency help. The nearest hospital was over an hour away, through winding mountain roads. There was no defibrillator nearby, no one with the equipment that might have given him a fighting chance. I often wonder how different that day could have been if just one defibrillator had been available. If someone had been able to use it. If help could have come faster. That loss is something I carry with me every day. A void which will never be filled — but it’s also the reason I’m doing this. To raise money for a charity which is saving lives. Having a defibrillator installed in my dad's memory in the place his life tragically ended in would mean the world to me. This charity has agreed to donate one which can be installed in his memory in Crete, Greece. A place filled with tourists enjoying their holidays the same way my father was enjoying his.

Running 26.2 miles in the London Marathon is a huge challenge for me, but nothing compared to the daily fight that many families face when it comes to sudden cardiac arrest. The Oliver King Foundation doesn’t just raise awareness — they take action. They place defibrillators in schools, sports clubs, community centres and public spaces where young people gather. They also provide training so that people are confident using them in an emergency. Their work is about creating a world where more lives are saved, and fewer families are left with unanswered questions and unbearable grief.

I’m running this marathon not just in memory of my dad, but in the hope that others don’t have to experience what my family did. Every donation — big or small — helps fund vital equipment, training, and education. It helps put life-saving tools into the hands of ordinary people who could one day save someone’s child, friend, or parent. It helps bring peace of mind to communities. Most importantly, it helps save lives.

Thank you so much for your support — whether it’s through a donation, sharing this message, or cheering from the sidelines. Together, we can help The Oliver King Foundation continue their incredible work and make sure that more people get a second chance at life.