26.2 miles of courage, care and compassion: Our London Marathon runners raise over £30,000 for St Luke’s

27th April 2026/
St Luke's London Marathon runners

  • 10 runners completed the London Marathon on Sunday 26 April in aid of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth

  • In total the runners have raised over £30,000 for St Luke’s hospice care

St Luke’s London Marathon runners raise over £30,000 for hospice care

As the sun shone down on our capital city yesterday, our St Luke’s runners took every step of the London Marathon with courage, care and compassion in mind. Behind every bib number was a story, a memory, or a reason that carried our 10 runners through all 26.2 miles and helped them to raise an incredible £30,000 for our patient care.

From their first sign-ups, to grueling training runs, we have followed their progress and supported them along the way, helping hem prepare both physically and mentally for race day. They have all shared their stories with us, each one deeply personal, and each a reminder of why this challenge mattered so much. Together, they show the quiet strength, love and determination that sits at the heart of everything St Luke’s stands for.

St Luke's London Marathon runners

Evie, Lizzie and Stu getting prepped for the London Marathon

Excitement and anxiety before race day

For anyone who has run the London Marathon before, you will know that feeling of excitement and nervousness as you go and pick up your bib in the days prior to the main event. For our runners, this was when it all became real for them and the reality of what they were about to undertake hit them.

On Sunday morning, our runners awoke to blue skies and sunshine, the perfect backdrop for the mammoth task ahead of them. Despite some sore legs and a lot of emotions throughout the 26.2 miles, every one of our runners crossed the line and are now the proud owners of a unique London Marathon 2026 medal.

All the team have been showing their support for each other in a special marathon WhatsApp group, sharing training and their highs and lows in the lead up to the event. We caught up with our runners this morning to find out how they found the race and how they were feeling (both physically and emotionally!).

St Luke's London Marathon runners

Jessica, Sarah, Tom and Evie and Lisa

Our fabulous runners…

Mum and daughter duo Lisa and Evie Rosewarne Bennett ran it together in memory of Lisa’s husband and Evie’s dad Nick and Lisa’s parents Elizabeth and Phillip. Evie described the emotional day: “That was one of the toughest days yesterday, the heat was insane! I cried about 40 million times. All I could think about was how I wish they were there watching me cross the line. I now feel like I’ve been hit by a truck and reversed over a few times but it’s all worth it for the funds raised to help support other families/patients going through it.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of St Luke’s or everyone in the group chat, they’ve made me laugh on days I didn’t think this was possible.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Katie Rhodes used to be part of our events team here at St Luke’s so has seen firsthand how important fundraising is to help us continue to deliver our care. London was the third race in 12 months that she has run for St Luke’s, so being able to run for us in our capital city was a big deal for Katie. She said: “What an experience. I laughed, I cried, I think I experienced every emotion during a tough 26.2 (or 26.68 according to my watch!) miles.

“The support from London was indescribable – I felt like a celebrity with the number of people calling my name. I hit Tower Bridge and the wall of sound was so overwhelming that I had a little cry, and it took me a while to get back in my flow after that. There were a few points where the heat really got to me and I wasn’t sure I could keep going, but between the knowledge that I was supporting such an incredible cause and the unbelievable support (plus a tearful phone call with my hubby!) I kept going and the last 6 miles I grinned the whole way. It was fab to see other runners supporting St Luke’s on the course and each time that gave me a real boost too.

“The aches and pains today are 100% worth it and I’m so proud of reaching the finish line and managing to raise some funds for such a worthwhile cause in the process.”

2026 marks a special milestone for James Dawes, who will be celebrating his 40th birthday this year, not only that, but it is also 10 years since his mum died, and running the London Marathon was a way of giving something back for the care she received.

James said: “I would like to say thank you to the St Luke’s team and congratulations to all of the runners! Every mile we have all run is so worth it, so we can help others that are going though what we all have gone through. St Luke’s is such an amazing space that allows for dignity, space and time when you need it most.”

After seeing his father and close family members receive care from St Luke’s, Tom Wraight set himself an extraordinary challenge: to run some of the world’s biggest marathons in their memory. After running the London and New York marathons last year, he decided to take on London again this year.

Jessica Green was running in memory of her grandad, ‘an absolute legend, whose bravery continues to inspire her’. Jessica said: “Huge thank you to St Luke’s for the constant support and everybody in the group chat! Whenever the run got hard I thought about my why, my grandad getting me through every tough mile! I’m so proud of us all for raising so much to help other families in their time of need.”

St Luke's London Marathon runners

Lisa and Evie, Katie, James and Jessica with their medals

For Lizzie Mitchelmore, it was an emotional run, as she was running in memory of her father, Paul, who sadly died last year. She said: “I can’t thank St Luke’s enough for this truly amazing experience. The sore legs today are definitely worth it, knowing that the funds we have raised will help so many families just like mine.”

Sarah Hill secured a ballot place for the race and was excited to have ticked off a bucket list achievement, while raising money for her partner Jamie’s nan. It was the support of her fellow runners that helped spur her across the line. She added: “Personally, I’d like to thank every one at St Luke’s and the other runner’s in the group. Honestly it’s been so inspiring through training and everyone has supported each other, the money total updates have been amazing, the stories shared.

“I couldn’t have asked to be in a nicer London Marathon group, thank you.”

Stu Collier was running yesterday in memory of his best friend, Scott Corderoy. You can read Stu’s story here.

Stu said: “What an incredible experience, the weather, the runners, the crowds, all just amazing. I cried so many times running round the course and didn’t stop smiling once!

Knowing that the money we have raised will give another 30 people the same love and care that my best mate received just made it all so worth it, the aches and pains will only last a few days, but the feeling people have when St Luke’s get them home, or give them peace, love and dignity in the hospice, is a feeling that will last forever.

“Thank you St Luke’s, forever in your debt, and it’s been a real honour and privilege to run for you.”

It is not just us who are proud of Stu, Scott’s wife Josie told him ahead of the race: “Stu we are so proud of you and will be rooting for you all day and I know Scott will be with you every step of the way, the money you and your team have raised so far is just incredible.

“St Luke’s is by far the most worthy cause, when Scott spent a short time there we were at a point when we had lost all hope and any one who’s walked a cancer diagnosis will know hope is one of the only things you have left when facing such a battle.

“St Luke’s didn’t provide medication for my husband they gave him love, encouragement and a place he felt safe and heard, those things gave us back hope. Scott’s last wish was to be at home with his girls and they made that happen.

“Stu the day we left St Luke’s you wheeled Scott back through our front door for the last time and you saw first hand the relief and happiness he felt.

“So today when your legs feel weak and the tiredness kicks in remember that exact moment, that right there is why you are doing what you are today, so other families can bring their loves ones home to spend their last moments surrounded by love.

“Our best man and Scott’s best friend.”

St Luke's London Marathon runners

Liam, Lizzie, Stu and Sarah at the finish line

Thank you to all our runners

Our Community Fundraising team, consisting of Peter Ward, Sarah Wallis and Anna Parsons have been supporting our runners from the start. They said: “We are immensely proud of all of our London Runners, as we are with anyone who puts on a pair of trainers to challenge themselves in any event and raise some vital patient care funds at the same time. London is special, how many other events can runners take part on an occasion that a sub 2 hour world record is broken for running a marathon following in their exact footsteps?

“Our 2026 St Luke’s London runners have been an absolute pleasure to work with since day one. The team spirit and camaraderie from them all has been exceptional, experiencing highs lows and tears together, and we have felt privileged to be part of their challenging journey.

“We would also like to say a massive Thank You to Plymouth City College Sports Health Team, Lucy and her team have helped so many of our team in preparation for this event. A heartfelt thank you from us all.”

Inspired to run for St Luke’s?

This year was the first year that we were given some Gold Bond charity places for London. While we have already allocated our Gold Bond place runners for 2027, if you are successful in the ballot we would love for you to join the St Luke’s team for 2027. To enter the ballot for 2027 click here.

We will release more information on our 2028 Gold Bond places in the next few months.

If you have been inspired to run for St Luke’s, whatever the distance we would love to support you along the way. To find out more about the support we can offer you, please get in touch.

FAQs

How can I run for St Luke’s at the London Marathon in 2027?

To enter the ballot for the 2027 marathon click here.

How do I run for St Luke’s?

To find out more about the support we can offer you when you run for St Luke’s, please get in touch.

How can I sponsor the London Marathon runners?

You can sponsor them via their fundraising pages below:

Enter the London Marathon ballot for 2027 Run for St Luke’s

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