London Marathon
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BSU staff fundraise for London Marathon 2026
Tuesday, 14 April, 2026The biggest single fundraising day of the year is fast approaching, and two BSU staff members have been training hard, raising money for charities close to their hearts.
More than a personal achievement, the London Marathon attracts runners from all over the world, amassing tens of millions for worthy causes and a cumulative £1.4 billion since its first edition in 1981.
Determined to drive change by taking part in this year’s race is Programme Director for Secondary PGCE, Sarah Wilton-Rhead, whose career and upcoming marathon have been dedicated to her late mother. A lifelong teacher, who, having retired after 40 years in education, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and passed away within just ten weeks.
Inspired by her mother’s love of teaching, Sarah carries her mother’s legacy forward into her work at BSU, leading the development of future educators. She said:
“My mum taught for 40 years and died shortly after retiring. Her illness came on suddenly and she never even left the hospital after her diagnosis. I was inspired to go into teaching because of her. That’s why I do what I do now.”
Sarah’s neighbour, Ella, was diagnosed at just four years old and fought for ten months before losing her life to the same disease, leaving an enormous hole in the lives of her loved ones.
Underfunded and under-researched, the stark reality of brain cancer is that it remains one of the least understood and effectively treated forms of cancer, despite huge advances in cancers such as breast and bowel over the past 25 years.
With limited treatment options, patients are often told there is little that can be done, and despite advocacy from public figures, raising not just money but awareness remains crucial for advancing research.
Discussing the importance of her fundraising efforts, Sarah said:
“It’s not just about the money; it’s about people understanding what brain cancer is and how serious it is. With my mum’s diagnosis, it was just, ‘there’s nothing we can do.’ There were no treatment options. I didn’t realise how different that was compared to other cancers until I saw it firsthand.
“People don’t realise that brain cancer is still, in many cases, a death sentence. That’s why raising awareness is just as important as raising money.”
Across the University in BSU’s HR department, HR Data Analyst, Nathan Lawrance is also preparing for the London Marathon.
Raising money for The Children’s Society, Nathan is determined to bring awareness to the essential work they do offering a listening ear to children and young people. With mental health waiting lists spiralling and their drop-ins often the only place a young person can find support in good time, their work is more important than ever.
With contributions from friends and colleagues, Nathan is looking forward to pushing himself when the day arrives. Considering the upcoming challenge, he said:
“I started running a few years ago and really developed a passion for it. I think the London Marathon is a unanimous bucket list item for runners. I like pushing myself to complete hard things, and this provides me with the opportunity to do so and raise money for a great cause.”
The London Marathon will take place on Sunday 26 April. You can support Sarah and Nathan’s fundraising efforts on their respective pages.