150 Runners to Take on the London Marathon for WellChild – Meet The Team

These runners, united by a shared mission, aim to raise awareness and vital funds to help WellChild provide children and young people with complex medical needs, the best possible chance to thrive at home with their families.

Meet some of the incredible 150 strong team!

Madeleine doesn’t just work for WellChild—she is WellChild. At 31, this remarkable nurse has made it her life’s mission to ease the struggles of children facing lengthy and complicated medical journeys. For many families, Madeleine is a source of hope and guidance, helping them transition from hospital to home and navigate the challenges along the way.

In Madeleine’s words, “Just when I think I can’t go on anymore, I will think of the children, young people and their families who have overcome challenges that I couldn’t even imagine. That’s why I couldn’t do the biggest challenge of my life for any other charity.”

Running the London Marathon is no small feat, especially for Madeleine, who admits her training this time around has been humbling. A seasoned runner, she completed the Brighton Marathon a decade ago and followed it up with a 12-hour shift on pediatric intensive care the very next day. Now a mother of three young children—Blake, Mabel, and Barney—her days are packed with both work and parenting. Despite the demands on her time, Madeleine is determined to make every step count for WellChild.

As Madeleine takes to the marathon course, she will draw strength from the children and young people she has worked with over the years. Their resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges serves as her ultimate inspiration.

Another inspirational runner heading to London this weekend is Dean. Dean will be running the 26.2 miles wearing WellChild’s Nina The Nurse mascot outfit.

This isn’t the first time Dean has run a marathon, nor the first time he has run for WellChid! He definitely won’t be missed out on the course on Sunday! Share your photos of Nina the Nurse on social media and tag @wellchild!

Suzanne Shaw, the talented singer and actress, is taking on the London Marathon this year to support WellChild. Known for her incredible performances on stage and screen, Suzanne is now channelling her energy into raising awareness and funds to support children with complex medical needs and their families.

Suzanne’s decision to run for WellChild stems from her admiration for the charity’s work in empowering families to care for children with complex medical needs at home. Suzanne has attended WellChild events and was inspired by the WellChild Awards, to take on this challenge. Suzanne hopes to inspire others to support WellChild and challenge themselves to make a difference.

Craig Doyle, the well-known TV presenter, is taking on the London Marathon this year to support WellChild, a cause close to his heart. Known for his engaging presence on shows like This Morning, Craig is swapping the studio for the streets of London to raise awareness and funds for the UK’s national charity for seriously ill children and their families.

By lacing up his running shoes, Craig hopes to inspire others to support this vital cause and make a difference in the lives of countless families.

Emily (51) and Lottie Jose (19), from Cornwall, are taking on the London Marathon to give back to WellChild for the incredible work the charity has done. They have experienced firsthand the support WellChild offers during their youngest daughter’s illness. As Emily puts it, “It kept our family together at home, and we are so grateful.”

Emily, a mature student studying sports therapy, and Lottie, a paralegal, began their running journey about three years ago. Since then, they’ve completed several half marathons and are currently embracing a personal challenge: completing three marathons in 12 months—New York, London, and Berlin. While the London Marathon serves as their official fundraising event, they’ve promoted all three races to gather more interest and amplify their message of support for WellChild.

Emma and Lee Burns, both 42, from Essex, are stepping up together to take on this year’s London Marathon for WellChild. Emma’s journey with WellChild began in 2024 when she ran the marathon for the charity. Unfortunately, she suffered a stress fracture at mile 18 and was unable to finish, spending 10 weeks in a cast. Despite the setback, her determination has inspired Lee, a footballer for Tilbury FC, to join her on the course this year.

Emma discovered WellChild through social media and knew immediately it was a cause worth supporting. “I thought it was a worthwhile charity and wanted to help,” she shares. Now, the pair are running side by side with their three beautiful boys cheering them on from the sidelines. Both enjoy regular 5Ks and are ready to push themselves to complete the marathon for this amazing charity—this time, hoping for an injury-free journey!

Dylan Bleach and his dad, Wesley, are preparing to tackle the London Marathon together to support WellChild. Dylan won a WellChild Award in 2015 and since then WellChild has played a vital role in his life. Dylan, who has cerebral palsy, is determined to tackle this next challenge head on.

Running the marathon is not just a physical challenge for Dylan and his dad—it’s a symbol of their determination and gratitude for the work WellChild does to help families like theirs. Together, they aim to raise awareness and funds to ensure other children with complex medical needs can benefit from the same life-changing support.

This year’s London Marathon is more than just a race – it represents hope, determination, and community spirit. The stories of the runners, from nurses and TV presenters to parents and children, shine a light on the extraordinary work WellChild does to support children and young people with complex medical needs.

As these 150 champions cross the finish line, they are not only achieving personal milestones but also taking significant strides toward ensuring every child with complex medical needs has the opportunity to thrive at home. Together, they’re making a difference, one step at a time.