Oz

The mission

In April, I am taking on the London Marathon—pushing for a demanding sub-3:30 finish, for a cause that is etched into every part of who I am. This will be my second marathon running for the Army Benevolent Fund, and a continuation of a lifelong commitment to raising funds for a mission I believe in with everything I have.

Growing up, my dad was my absolute idol. We shared an unbreakable bond, built on laughter, pride, and shared purpose. I admired him so deeply that I followed in his footsteps: he served in the Royal Military Police, and today, I proudly wear that exact same beret.

To the world, he was strong, resilient, and dependable. But mental health does not care how tough you are. It is an invisible battle that can blindside anyone, at any age, in any walk of life, at any moment. In February 2020, after years of silently carrying the weight of advanced PTSD from his service in Northern Ireland and the Falklands, my hero lost his battle and took his own life.

My world shattered. In the darkest, most overwhelming days of my life, when grief was heavy and I had almost nothing to give him the send-off he deserved, the Army Benevolent Fund stepped in. They didn’t hesitate; they simply showed up and carried the burden with me.

The ABF is a lifelong safety net. They stand behind soldiers, veterans, and their families through every hardship—serving or not, young or old, in times of crisis and decades after the uniform comes off. I have seen firsthand the tangible, life-saving difference they make, which is why I will never stop running and fundraising for them.

I am taking on every brutal mile of this marathon to honour my dad, repay that lifeline, and ensure that no family fighting their own silent war has to stand alone in the dark.

Whether you have a connection to the military or not, we all know what it means to love someone deeply, and how devastating it is when life brings them to their knees. If you are able to donate, every single pound goes directly toward catching people when they fall and saving lives.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with me.