Malvernians rise to the challenge at London Marathon

For Katie Sloane, this year’s marathon was especially remarkable. Just ten months after the birth of her second child, Katie ran alongside her partner Sam to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK and Children with Cancer UK – charities deeply personal to Sam following the loss of a close childhood friend to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and cancer at just 16 years old.

So far, they have raised over £3,000, with a target of £5,000.

Head to their fundraising page to help boost this.

Ellie Calderwood completed her very first marathon and has already raised more than £6,000 for Cardiomyopathy UK. Ellie’s cause was inspired by her father, Chris Calderwood – former economics teacher and Deputy HouseM of No.9 at Malvern College – who was suddenly diagnosed with advanced dilated cardiomyopathy in 2019.

Thanks to specialist care, treatment and determination, Chris has since made a remarkable recovery and has now surpassed the five‑year life expectancy following diagnosis. Ellie’s run helped raise vital awareness of a condition that is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in under‑35s.

Visit Ellie’s fundraising page.

Mary Needham, completing her first marathon, ran every mile alongside her father Rupert, who was taking on his seventh. The pair raised funds for Shelter, the homelessness charity, and have already raised over £1,300 to support its vital work addressing the UK housing crisis.

Visit Mary and Rupert’s fundraising page.

For Lara Vafiadis, no challenge comes lightly. Having previously rowed solo across the Atlantic as part of The World’s Toughest Row, Lara brought the same resilience to the streets of London, running in aid of Prostate Cancer UK in memory of her father, who sadly passed away shortly before her transatlantic journey.

To date, Lara has raised over £2,800, continuing her mission to fund research and raise awareness of prostate cancer.

Click here to visit Lara’s fundraising page.