JUSTINE COLLINS

TCS London Marathon 2025

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

I joined #TeamStroke for the TCS London Marathon 2025.

There are over 1.3 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

My updates

Life goal achieved in Honour of my father

Tuesday 3rd Sep

I have wanted to do the marathon since I was a teenager. A life goal. I even joined the Highgate Harriers (an elite breed of running professionals based in my neighbourhood) as I had heard that it boosted your chance of getting selected in the ballot...! Not saying I was desperate ..... but alas, I soon realised I was not built for speed, and so that dream lasted all but a couple of sessions where I dropped out. After trying unsuccessfully to enter through the ballot, I steered myself to taking part in various 10Ks, charity bike rides, and a half marathon. Which I completed for the stroke association, as my father had a stroke in his 60s and thus I wanted to aid and assist in his rehab... Sadly, my father passed away at the age of 80, having led as full a life as he could have hoped for with my amazing  mother by his side and only one side of his body in use after the stroke had rendered him partially paralysed in one side and bound to a wheelchair.  He was a true inspiration, and his positivity and light radiated throughout in many situations he encountered in his life both before and after the stroke. His perseverance to  see the best in people and seek the best from his situation made him a real role model.

 
I then put the dream of running the marathon to one side until recently, when 2 of my incredible sisters competed in In a Half and the full London marathon, So inspired by their brilliance, my interest was ignited once again, and I applied through the ballot. Sadly, I was unsuccessful once again, but this time, undeterred, I applied through the stroke association for one of their highly converted places. I had all but written it off after not hearing back from them, but then imagine my tears of joy when I opened up the glaring purple envelope to a note from the Stroke Association saying Your In !!!! The big poppa, the big guy, the Daddaddooski, as he was fondly termed in our household.. was smiling down on me once again. And as I sit and write this with tears once more streaming down my face, I can barely believe it's real... Please help by sponsoring my race for such an incredible and  worthy cause and for such a special man. 

Thank you to my sponsors

£200

Claire

Babe I am so so proud of you. You are going to absolutely ace this! Xxx

£106

Dylan Wyn Davies

Justine, you a truly a legend of the highest order and know you’ll absolutely smash your race!! Good luck!! Dyl, Stace, Floyd and Danny xx

£100

Benjamin P Edmonds

Best of luck Justine! A fantastic challenge and you’ve chosen an incredible event. And an especially important and worthy charity cause too. You’ll do great. Go smash it!!! 🏃‍♀️ ⭐️ 💪🏼

£53

Kristi & Family.

Good luck Badge. You are going to smash it!

£50

Loulie

Go on girl

£26.50

Aimee Windley

Good luck Justine xxx

£26.50

Chris Pearman

I’m sure you’ll smash it. All the best Chris x

£25

Marilyn K

Go on Justine!

£21.20

Georgina Griffiths

Amazing Justine xxxx ❤️

£20

Mary Than

Kick ass and take names All our love Sam , Chloé and Gabriel xx

£10.60

Francesca Thorne