Our amazing team running London Marathon for Thames Hospice
AMRITA HOLAIT
Meet the London Marathon Team
“My
Why have you chosen to take on the London Marathon in support of Thames Hospice?
Amrita runs her first London Marathon in 2026 in memory of her beloved grandfather, who passed away at Thames Hospice. of grandfather, Hospice.
How do you plan to reach your fundraising target?
How do you plan to train for the marathon?
“My grandfather was looked after by the Thames Hospice team 2 years ago This allowed him to have a peaceful and dignified passing, which we are extremely grateful for as a family He was the head of our family and with 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and at his time of passing 18 great grandchildren, he was a big loss to us Whilst we cannot truly pay back Thames Hospice for the way they cared for him, I will continue to attend their annual sunflower walk & also raise money so others are supported ”
Hospice a extremely as was at a us truly for sunflower money supported
“”Family and friends, and topping up donations myself!” “”Family friends, up myself!”
“I am a physiotherapist so am aware of building up training loads safely I will ensure I not only run but keep up with the strength and conditioning required to limit injuries”
“I will not but with and conditioning required injuries”
HOLLIE LEWIS
Meet the London Marathon Team
Having run two half marathons, Hollie takes on her first London Marathon in 2026 after we cared for her Mum. marathons, Mum.
Why have you chosen to take on the London Marathon in support of Thames Hospice?
“They supported us as a family in the last few weeks of my mum’s life ” Hollie speaks highly of the care provided for her mum, and the counselling she received afterwards, and she “would like to give back ” “They family last few of mum’s life” for mum, and afterwards, give back”
How do you plan to reach your fundraising target?
Hollie a multi-faceted raffles
Hollie has a multi-faceted approach to her fundraising, from running fun social media campaigns to hosting charity raffles
How do you plan to train for the marathon?
Hollie has a running coach, attends a running club, and has run two half marathons and a 10-mile run recently, putting her in a good spot for the marathon! has attends has two half and her good
JENNA GOMEZ
Why have you chosen to take on the London Marathon in support of Thames Hospice?
Meet the London Marathon Team
Jenna will be running the 2026 London Marathon in memory of her best friend, Bridie. Jenna of friend,
How do you plan to reach your fundraising target?
Before Jenna’s best friend, Bridie, passed away at the Hospice in 2025, Bridie requested donations be made to Thames Hospice, but Jenna knew she wanted to do more, so she has committed to running the London Marathon to “support a charity that supported Bridie and her family” Jenna’s away but Jenna knew wanted to committed London a charity family”
Jenna to friends’ and family’s ‘Come Me’,
Jenna has lots of fun ideas on how she wants to fundraise, from utilising her friends’ and family’s crafting and baking skills, to hosting ‘Come Dine with Me’ , and murder mystery nights!
How do you plan to train for the marathon?
“I a local and just a already my to running 4 up mileage”
“I belong to a local run club, and have just run a half marathon, so I am already in training! I will liaise with my run club coach to get a personalised training plan, but I expect to be running 4 times a week gradually building up mileage ” Jenna also plans to strength train, cross train, and take good care of her overall well-being
LAYLA NUNN
Meet the London Marathon Team
Why have you chosen to take on the London Marathon in support of Thames Hospice?
Layla is taking on the London Marathon for the first time in 2026 to fundraise for Thames Hospice, praising the care her grandparents received in the Hospice. 2026 Hospice, praising the care her Hospice.
How do you plan to reach your fundraising target?
How do you plan to train for the marathon?
“Running the London Marathon has always been a goal of mine! I've done several halfs but never been brave enough to go for the full marathon ” After seeing that Thames Hospice were offering London Marathon spots, Layla decided 2026 was her year, compelled to give back after the hospice cared for both her Grandmother and Grandfather
“Running Marathon marathon” compelled to Grandmother Grandfather
“My family and friends all know what a special place Thames Hospice is and will wholeheartedly support me with sponsorship ” Layla also plans to share her fundraising page amongst her network and to hold a bake sale at the hospital where she works “My know what and sponsorship” Layla fundraising where
“Slowly and gently!” Having run the Royal Parks last year, Layla is using that training and experience, alongside an app called ‘Run with Hal’ to train for the London Marathon
“Slowly gently!” Parks last year, and an ‘Run Hal’
MATT POLLARD
Meet the London Marathon Team
Why have you chosen to take on the London Marathon in support of Thames Hospice?
How do you plan to reach your fundraising target?
How do you plan to train for the marathon?
Matt will be running his third London Marathon in 2026, after running in 2021 and 2024
This year, he is choosing to fundraise for Thames Hospice. running in 2026, 2021 and 2024 year, fundraise for
“My friend and colleague Mike Cooke, sadly lost his battle with cancer the week before Christmas, but the support Thames Hospice were able to give him and his family in his final weeks helped them in the most difficult of times ” “My lost his cancer Christmas, support give final difficult of times”
“The work to him, but praise for fantastic do”
“The work that you do is carried out in the most trying situations for both patients and families After hearing from the family of Mike, and my colleagues who were able to visit him, they had nothing but praise for the staff and facility Raising money for the hospice means that you can continue the fantastic work that you do ”
“I am following a training plan using the Runna app, I am currently running 3 times a week with a mixture of running durations and speeds.”
“I mixture durations and speeds”
WILL BALLANTYNE
Meet the London Marathon Team
Why have you chosen to take on the London Marathon in support of Thames Hospice?
How do you plan to reach your fundraising target?
How do you plan to train for the marathon?
Will takes on his third marathon in 2026, running the London Marathon in memory of his dad, Bob. 2026, memory dad, Bob.
Will’s father, Bob, for at his “Dads is missed this marathon mark death, for him?”
After Will’s father, Bob, was cared for at Thames Hospice, Will notes the exceptional care he received, and how he wants to support the cause that supported him and his family “Dads magnetic energy is sorely missed but this marathon will mark just over 5 years since his death, and what better way to recognise this milestone than to raise money for a cause that helped and supported him?”
Will plans to fundraise with his business partner and brother-in-law, David “Our aim is to utilise our connections and network through our local business MyWorkspot to help our fundraising efforts That, coupled with friends and family who knew Dad, we have no doubt we can reach our target and continue to help the hospice ”
Will plans to partner “Our through to efforts friends and Dad, no can target hospice”
Having run 2 marathons previously, Will is confident in using previous training plans to prepare him for London marathons is him London
