I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon as part of #TeamStroke
If you know me, you'll know this next sentence is going to sound like a bad joke: I'm running the London Marathon in 2026. Yes, me. The person who views running, or any form of leg-day exercise as a form of punishment... Let’s be real, my idea of running is more like a sprint to the fridge than an endurance race. However, I'm truly honoured to be given this incredible opportunity to raise money for the Stroke Association.
So, why am I voluntarily signing up for 26.2 miles of pure torture? The reason involves a little human who has completely reshaped my world: my daughter, Milana. Just over two years ago, our lives turned upside down when Milana, as a newborn, suffered a perinatal stroke. The fear and helplessness were unbearable.
Beyond Milana’s physical journey, the emotional toll on us has been immense. As parents, the constant worry, endless questions, and fearing the unknown has weighed heavily on our hearts. Milana’s older sister, Maeva, felt the shift in our home’s atmosphere, and our close family shared our anxieties and grief. The months and years that followed have been a ton of appointments, physio and therapies. We have poured all our energy into early intervention, following the guidance from medical professionals and sources like the Stroke Association. Today, we’re grateful for Milana’s development, and her strength and determination to embrace every moment.
This marathon isn’t just about finishing a ridiculously long run; it’s about raising awareness of strokes, especially in infants and children. The contributions to the Stroke Association play a huge part in their ongoing research and provides the necessary support to individuals and families affected by stroke, giving them the best possible chances of rebuilding their lives. I want other parents, children and affected families to have the best possible chance for care and to rebuild their lives.
So, as I reluctantly lace up my running shoes, I’m doing it for Milana, and for every child and family touched by stroke. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll discover some hidden passion for running.
Every donation will make a difference – big or small. Please donate and share this page – I’d hugely appreciate it. As a little thank you, you’ll get the entertainment of my questionable journey through my socials.
Thank you for helping me make every step count.
- Jay
I joined #TeamStroke for the TCS London Marathon 2026.
There are over 1.4 million stroke survivors in the UK, with 100,000 strokes happening in the UK each year. That's one stroke every five minutes.
We're here to support people to rebuild their lives after stroke. We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke, so we work with the stroke community to make sure people affected by stroke get the very best care and support. We rely on your support to provide vital services, campaign for better stroke care and fund research into preventative and rehabilitative treatments.
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
£1k
Siddharth And Smita Shah
£520
Ina And Mukesh
Good luck and well done on your fund raise
£501
Minal, Maeva & Milana
Every mile you run shows how amazing you are. We will be cheering for you every step of the way! You've got this! 🫶🏽 Love Minal, Maeva & Milana x
£250
Shreya & Jeeten
Good Luck Jay! You have got this!!! Enjoy every moment of the race from all of the supporters rooting for you to an incredible personal achievement whilst raising money for an amazing cause. We’re proud of you!
£150
Preyesh, Bijal, Kyan & Leo
Good luck Jay, you got this!! Raising money for a fantastic cause xx
£100
Nico Beedle
Really impressive that you’re doing it, and for a great cause. Nico x
£58.56
Pankaj Shah
Best wishes to Jay for this incredible challenge on this auspicious day of 1008 Sumtinath Bhagvan garbha kalyanak. Don’t stop till you get enough.
£53.32
Ash & Krish
Wishing you the best of luck, Jay! Incredible cause, and an inspiring challenge. You've got this!!
£53.32
Nav, Jen And Anaia Gudray
Goodluck Jay! You will absolutely smash this. Super proud of you! We will be cheering you on :) Nav , Jen & Anaia xx
£53.32
Suraj, Bhavni & Sayaan
Superdad x
£53.32
Samir, Rupa, Sidd, Sonali, & Kati Shah
We are happy to support such an important cause!
£53.32
Anonymous
£53.32
Zalak Chirag
Good luck on your marathon run, Zalak, Aarna, Reyansh and Chirag
£53.32
Nikesh, Priya & Raef
Well done Jay, such an important cause, wishing you all the best!
£53.32
Shruti Shah
£51
Nisha Gohel
Wishing you all the very best with this incredible challenge. Nisha Dharmesh Sujan and Anuj xx
£50
Selina Khan
Best of luck Jay, you are going to smash this!
£50
Rahul Choksi
Best of luck Jay, go smash it!
£50
Krups, Rosh, Ivan & Arav
Great cause!. Go smash it Jay!
£32.23
Kate Herbert
Best of luck Jay - Such an amazing cause and an inspiring reason to run, I know you’ll absolutely smash it!! You’ve got this!!
£31.51
Sam W
Amazing cause Jay! My very best wishes
£27.05
Meera And Paul
Amazing cause! Best of luck, you’ll smash it :)
£27.05
Meera
Good luck! All the best from us, Meera and Vishaal 🙌
£27.05
Kiran Chaggar
£27.05
Siobhan
Super impressive! Best of luck . Siobhan, Sienna and Erin xxx
£25
Sutchel
£25
Hemal Patel
£25
Ravi & Jenna
Good Luck Jay!! Such a great cause you’re running for! Do your girls proud like you always do!!
£25
Sonia Gosai
All the best jay!! Such a great cause your running for! Jay, sonia, Ishaan and Gianna.
£25
Riya & Krishan
All the best Jay! Hope it all goes well, such an amazing cause💪🙌 Krishan, Riya & Ishaan
£25
Natasha Ghelani
Best of luck Jay!
£25
Manish, Natasha & Kaden!
Good Luck Jay, you’ll smash it no doubt 👍
£25
Aria And Lukey
You can do it Uncle Jay! :)
£21.84
Cathy Hunt
£21.84
Hiten, Praveen And The Boys
All the best, thanks for sharing your family experience and spreading awareness.
£21.84
Rita
Amazing cause wishing you all the best x
£21.84
Prashant Patel
Best of luck on your marathon journey and on the big day, and well done for supporting such an important cause. Smash it, bro! 💪🏼👏🏽 Prash & Nilam
£21.84
Louise Smith
Good luck! 🙌🏼💪🏼 x
£21.84
Hayfa & Adam
Wishing you the best of luck Jay! This is such an incredible cause!
£21.84
Piyal & Rickesh
Good luck Jay!!
£21.84
Hinal, Guppy, Tian & Keya
Good Luck Jay!
£21.84
Sue Cliffe
Good luck Jay. All the best. Sue
£21.36
Prashil Mistry
Good luck bro! Amazing what you’re doing 🫶🏽
£21
Jai
Good luck Jay ! From Jai, Priya, Daniel & Island
£20
Nandini
All the best Jay! You’ve got this :) Sunny, Nandini & Avaani
£20
Jaydeep
All the best brother x
£20
Anonymous
Great cause, all the best on this brother
£16.56
Saadatu
All the best Jay!
£16.56
Anish Parmar
£15
Davina
Good luck Jay! You’ve got this! Go smash it, Davina, James, Luna and Hattie! Xx
£11.33
Nisha Gorania
Good luck Jay.
£11.33
Chris Feakes
Good luck Jay, you can Join me on an ultra next year of you're looks ng for another fundraising challenge!
£11.33
Max Eelkema
Let's go! Best of luck!
£11.33
Roshan Zavery
Good luck Jay!
£11.33
Jemini Parmar
£11.33
Nouman Mehmood
Good luck Jay!
£11.33
Mark Horler
Good luck with all the training
£11.33
Nilaa Mandalia
Good luck!
£11.33
Nicole Whiston
£11
Jeni Rana
£10
Deb Johnstone
Good luck Jay!
£5.99
Ant Marples
Good luck bro 💪
Good luck, hope you do well in the London Marathon! We'll be cheering for you on the day