Meet Team Back Up: 2024 TCS London Marathon
20 April 2024
The 2024 TCS London Marathon takes place on Sunday 21 April 2024. We are so grateful to our incredible team, who have raised over £30,000 for Back Up so far!
Meet Sarah and Jeff, two members of #TeamBackUp, who have kindly shared their story with us.
Sarah’s story
Sarah is taking on the London Marathon, having already having completed six half marathons this year. The London Marathon is her pinnacle event – with eight more half marathons to follow!
Sarah said, “I am absolutely buzzing for the London Marathon. The crowds will really lift us. And I can’t wait to see the Back Up team and our running club cheering us on along the way!”
A keen runner and member of Fordy Runs Running Club, Sarah loves the half marathon distance and has completed 16 so far. She is excited to take on a full marathon for the first time.
Sarah continued, “Running the half marathons have been a great training tool for me, and I can’t wait to see how my body feels running a full marathon – it’s just two half marathons in one! I’ll be running with a friend from my running club, we’re sticking together and will get each other over the finish line. We’re really supportive of each other and plan to have lots of fun. We’ve got glitter body paint, and planning to take selfies at every mile.
“I am so proud to be part of #TeamBackUp. I always thought that if I didn’t get a ballot place, I just wouldn’t run it. I didn’t think about a charity place until my company Shoosmiths, became a corporate partner of Back Up. I saw the amazing work that the charity does and I wanted to play my part in helping them support more people with spinal cord injuries.”
Support Sarah: Sarah’s fundraising page
Jeff’s story
Jeff is a surgeon at in Glasgow and became personally involved with our charity through his friend Christopher. In 2019, Christopher had a spinal stroke and was an in-patient during his recovery. Jeff and Christopher have been fundraising together and have raised over £15,000!
Jeff says, “I first became aware of Back Up whilst working with neurosurgeons and major trauma patients at QE University Hospital. Then a few years ago, my friend had a spinal stroke and lost the power in his legs and the ability to walk. Back Up’s Outreach team helped him along the way to adjust positively to his injury. He now takes part in marathons and is taking on the London Marathon for the second time! I would like to give something back to this important charity to help them continue providing support for more people with spinal cord injuries, just like Christopher.”
Jeff continued, “We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support we’ve had with our fundraising. We organised a Ceilidh in March and raised over £12,500, so much more than anticipated – it was a fantastic evening. We had a silent auction with donations from local businesses, hotels and our rugby club. We even had a Scottish Hollywood star – James Cosmo – draw the raffle!
“This will be my sixth marathon but my first time running the London Marathon. It will be special to take part in a big city run together and see all the London landmarks. I’m particularly looking forward to the crowds along the route in London; they’re fantastic all the way round – and the Back Up team will be set up at mile 17 to cheer us all on. I am so proud to be part of #TeamBackUp.”
Support Jeff: Jeff’s fundraising page
Good luck Sarah and Jeff!
London Marathon 2025
Marathon Day next year is Sunday 27 April 2025.
The ballot for the 2025 TCS London Marathon will open on Saturday 20 April 2024 and close on Friday 26 April 2024.
If you would like to run for Back Up in the London Marathon 2025 or would like more information then please get in touch with our events team at events@backuptrust.org.uk, or call 020 8875 1805
Read more: London Marathon
