Holly Merle

TCS London Marathon 2025

I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon as part of #TeamStroke

I am running the 2025 London marathon in memory of my Grandad Stuart and Janet, the mother of my long term boyfriend Will. 

These were two important people in my life who have both sadly passed away, and were affected by Strokes.

My grandad had a stroke in 2012, only 8 years after recovering from a heart attack. The stroke really affected his mental and physical health. The stroke changed him from a completely independent person to someone who was reliant on others. 

He was left constantly frustrated with his lack of mobility, and found simple daily tasks a struggle. 

He lived with the effects of his stroke for 10 years and over this time I saw how this dramatically impacted the life of my grandmother too. As time went on the support they both needed became almost impossible to manage on their own.

Grandad passed away in December 2022.

Janet was my boyfriends mum and someone who had also become incredibly important in my life too. We regularly stayed at her house and spent quality time together, going for lunches, dinners and watching sports.

In under two weeks my boyfriend had gone from thinking his mum was unwell and needed support and rest, to having one of the most important people in his life taken away with no warning.

Janet was a healthy and active lady who regularly enjoyed golf with friends, watching live sport and spending lots of quality time with her family.

Less than a week before her passing, Janet was taken into hospital. After some tests, doctors discovered that she had suffered a transient ischaemic attach (TIA) however they were confident that with the right treatment and care she would make a full recovery from her hospital bed.

However only a few days later Janet had suffered from a full stroke and was being rushed to Bradford Royal Infirmary for thrombolysis treatment. Despite treatment, Janet suffered from a brain haemorrhage and fell into a coma a matter of hours later.

Janet passed away aged 58 on 21st August 2023.

I will be raising and running in their memory.

Finally I turn 26 this April. 26 years for 26.2 Miles. 

A reminder to be thankful for what I have done so far in my life and embrace the challenge that comes my way going forward.


My Achievements

Fundraising page set up

Added a profile pic

Made a donation

Shared your page

Hit first milestone

Hit second milestone

Reached 50% of target

Hit final milestone

Reached fundraising target

Thank you to my sponsors

£520

Paul Buckley

You’re so wonderful for doing this. Thank you from me and everyone who has been affected. Xx

£420

Holly Merle

Cash donations from fund raising event

£200

Jack And Katie

You’ll smash it, Holly!

£106

Yvonne Merle

Well done Holly, so proud of you.

£106

Anne Ayrton

£106

Will Buckley

❤️

£106

Conor Wood

Good luck

£100

Robert Kent

👏🏼 holly !

£100

The “texas” Merles

Such a worthy cause Holly, and didn’t realise how close to you all’s heart this is. Good luck with the training. Smash it! 👊💪❤️ Love The “Texas” Merles

£84.80

Gary And Elaine

Don’t get overtaken by a rhino or a banana.

£53

Jean Merle

£53

Jayne Neaves

A fantastic cause Holly. Best of luck on the day. Xx

£53

Paul Curry

Best of luck with the marathon Holly, and well done with the Tea Party fund raiser

£53

Phil, Michelle, William And Emilia

Good luck

£50

Gary Thomas

£50

Lewis Merle

Good Luck Midget, proud of you for doing this, go smash it! 💪🙌

£50

The Lafbery’s

Very best of luck Holly! Thinking of you & Will, we miss Janet lots. All our love x

£42.40

George Briggs

Good luck Holly, lovely words and such a great cause!

£31.80

Bella Robb

YESS HOLLY beyond proud!

£27.77

Rebecca & Sam (no. 22)

Good luck Holly and amazing work on the cakes today. Save something for the sprint finish.

£27.05

Ed Vass

Well done Holly!

£26.50

Paul And Ann Curry

Such a great achievement Holly and a brilliant cause

£26.50

Linda Byrne

You are amazing Holly!

£26.50

Maisie Williams

So proud of you!! Well done Holly xx

£26.50

Lisa Sinfield

Well done Holly. Wishing you all the best. Thank you for the most delicious cakes too. Big hugs . Lisa xxx

£26.50

Millie Oulton

Proud of you!!!! Xx

£26.50

Lesley Godfrey

£26.50

Delphine Kennedy

All the best for your run !

£26.50

Tom Stephens

Go on holly you legend you’re gonna smash it!!!

£26.50

Frances Stone

Best of luck Holly, you’ve got this girlie! X

£26.50

Sally & Greg Temple

Well done Holly, amazing to take the challenge of the marathon on - what a fantastic cause you are raising money for! You will smash it!!

£26.50

Alex Morris

Wishing you all the best Holly! You’ll smash it!

£26.50

Tessa Buckley

❤️ amazing Holly

£26.50

Amanda Hart

This is such a great charity to support Holly. Hope the training goes well. You’ll be brilliant. X

£25

Morgan Drain

Holly, you are an icon, legend and I know you’ll smash this! So proud of you💜

£25

Will Dawkins

£25

Joanne Pover

Well done Holly. Great cause ! Xx

£21.20

Rupert And Rosie Merle

We’ll be waiting by the door with extra licks and tail wagging when you get back

£21.20

Margaret (aldeburgh)

Well done Holly

£21.20

Denise (spring Grove)

£21.20

Nana

For cakes - love Nana

£21.20

Lisa & Carl Hansen

Dear Holly Good Luck on your run for the Stroke Association. Kind regards Lisa & Carl

£21.20

Anne Ayrton

Lovely cake ! Fabulous display, well done.

£21.20

Victoria Hicks

£21.20

Anonymous

£21.20

Peter Mapley

Well done Holly!

£21.20

Josh W

£21.20

Laura & Julie (wood) Xxx

Good luck Holly! What a great charity you’re supporting. Xxx

£21.20

George Acland

Good luck Holly, for a great cause!

£20

Lynn Stone

Good Luck Holly x

£20

Lucy Fish

Best of luck Holly! Go and smash it. Stewart would be so proud of you 💕

£20

Alex Corey

£15.90

Jenny Wincott

All the best Holly. You'll be great x

£12.72

Ivens J

Very best wishes Holy 🤞x

£10.60

Clare Gilbert

Hi Holly. Your mum shared your link. Great cause ! Amazing to be running the marathon. Hope it all goes well. Clare Gilbert x

£10.60

Edita Hawkins

£10.60

Sharon Lam

£10.60

Hannah Newbould

£10.60

Josie Hicks

£10.60

James Ayrton

£10.60

Alana

£10.60

Christina Taglienti

£10.60

Luke Thompson

£10.60

Jamie Bradley

Best of lucky Holly - all for a great cause x

£10.60

Max Heathcote

Amazing cause, making them proud I’m sure!

£10.60

Margaret Sideras

Well done Holly mum sent link I’m from mums st Mary’s life group xxx

£10.60

Nicolle Ayres

Working with stroke patients for 15 years I have seen the devastating impact! Such a worthwhile charity. You will smash it. The key is to get to the start line injury free and the rest will just happen…☺️

£10.60

Debbie Smith

Well done Holly 😘

£10.60

Liam & Meg

good luck with the race holly, well done on smashing the target xx

£10.60

Linda Wiskin

Great effort! Well done

£10

Susan Miller

Well done Holly 💕 Also a cause close to our Families Heart xxx

£10

Frances Stone

You got this girl! Also 11/10 baker, lovely fundraiser!

£10

Joe Jennings

Well done Holly, smashing it! From Becca and Joe x

£5.30

James Smith