Best of luck to all our amazing runners this Sunday

24 April 2025

Tim Otty

Tim is running for Charing Cross Hospital, where his wife Maria was treated following a brain haemorrhage. Tim spoke to us about how the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and neurosurgery team worked together to provide incredible care for Maria, explaining what was wrong and how her treatment would work. Maria had an operation and then spent six weeks in hospital while staff supported her recovery.

Tim was especially grateful to the nurses in the ICU, who supported his two daughters when they came to visit their mum.

“I want to give something back to the amazing team at Charing Cross Hospital. Both for saving my wife's life and then nurturing her back to full health.”

Tim is an experienced runner, who has finished more than 10 marathons before.

Sean O’Sullivan

Sean is fundraising for St Mary's Hospital, which he and his family have a long history with.

Sean and his two siblings were all born at St Mary's, and their mother was treated for breast cancer at the hospital during the 1990’s. More recently, Sean’s dad was admitted to the hospital’s Acute Respiratory Unit, and the family were overwhelmed by the care that he received and how attentive the staff were. The nurses even took the time to look through a photobook that the family had made for Sean’s dad to help keep his mind engaged during his hospital stay.

“All the staff went above and beyond! To see it first hand was quite powerful really, and we were all very grateful.”

Sean is an avid runner and has completed the London Marathon twice before.

Ryan McKenna

Ryan is raising money for Poppy’s Fund, which supports parents experiencing baby loss or other complications during pregnancy or birth.

Ryan and his partner welcomed their daughter Hallie last year, who was born slightly prematurely at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. Ryan saw the amazing work that Poppy’s Fund does for so many people and wanted to raise money in support of this amazing cause.

“The care from the team was outstanding and we were very fortunate Hallie didn’t need excessive care. I know that other families are not so lucky, and I think what Poppy’s Fund do is absolutely amazing.”

This is Ryan’s very first marathon. After attending the previous year to support a friend who participated in the event, Ryan was keen to get involved and to raise money for a fantastic cause in the process.