Northamptonshire dad takes on his first London Marathon on his 40th birthday, raising money for the charity which supports his daughter

Dad Chris Russell will spend his 40th birthday reaching another milestone – running his very first London Marathon. The iconic 26.2 mile course through the capital has always been a bucket list dream of Chris’ to complete. When he found out that in 2026 the race fell on 26th April - his 40th birthday - it felt like fate. And there was only one charity he wanted to support: Helen & Douglas House.

Chris’ daughter Ella has been visiting Helen & Douglas House for supportive respite stays for the past two years, and it has quickly become one of her favourite places. Chris says, “Helen & Douglas House has become a safe haven for our family. It’s somewhere we can all be together. We can be mum and dad while staff take care of Ella’s medications, and we can focus on spending quality time together as a family.”

Ella was born with complex medical needs and diagnosed with a brain tumour as a toddler. The family were introduced to Helen & Douglas House - a charity that supports local terminally ill children and their families - by their oncology doctors at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. “From the first time we visited, the hospice felt calm, relaxed and peaceful. Having a child who is seriously ill has meant years of hospital stays, but at Helen & Douglas House they care for us all – Ella with her medical needs, but also myself and my wife Sarah through emotional support. Having time together as a family, but also time alone as parents, means so much to us all.”

“We have seen first hand the incredible work of Helen & Douglas House and although it won’t pay for all the care and stays we have been given, I want to run the London Marathon to fundraise and give something back.”

In 2024, Chris ran the Oxford Half Marathon raising money for Helen & Douglas House, but training for a full marathon has been more challenging. Chris says, “Ella is the strongest person I know, and she’s definitely been keeping me in check throughout my training. She points to the door when I put my running shoes on, then directs me straight upstairs for a shower when I get back.”

“I think I’ll be fine until mile 15 – then my plan is to keep counting Parkruns until I reach the finish line. More than anything, I just want to enjoy the day and soak up the atmosphere. Then maybe celebrate my 40th birthday with a bath and some cake with my family!”

Chris is one of 30 runners taking on the legendary London Marathon this year for Helen & Douglas House, raising funds to help provide vital care and support for families when they need it most.

Julia Woodcock from Helen & Douglas House says, “I would like to wish all 30 of our London Marathon runners the very best of luck for the 26th April and thank them for their commitment and fundraising efforts. We are hoping to raise a total of £100,000. This money will be vital in helping make sure we are able to support families like Chris and Ella’s, as well as many more who need us.”

You can donate to Chris’s London Marathon Fundraiser here: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/chris-russell