I'm taking part in the TCS London Marathon as part of #TeamStroke
I joined #TeamStroke for the TCS London Marathon 2026.
I will be running the London Marathon in memory of my Nana, Sue.
My Nana meant absolutely everything to me and was one of the closest people in my life. I miss everything about her every day.
I had been at University for only a few weeks when my Nana had a sudden and devastating stroke. From that point on, she couldn't walk, talk, eat or communicate.
Seeing her like that was one of the hardest things my family and I have ever experienced and the weeks that followed were incredibly tough.
My Nana passed away in November 2012 after her stroke, and I carry her and our bond with me - I have since then, and I always will.
Every year, I have cheered on #TeamStroke runners from the mile 18 cheer point and dreamt about running in her memory.
I am absolutely honoured to have been given a place in LM26, and it means more to be than I can even put into words. On the receipt of my purple ticket, I promptly burst into tears.
As of September 2025, I have lost almost 80lb and started to run again. Not only is the London Marathon going to give me something to focus on in helping me achieve my health goals, it will be a huge personal achievement and a tribute to somebody so very special.
I know times are hard at the moment for us all, but if you can spare anything at all - I will be eternally grateful.
This is so much more than just a race, this is almost thirteen years in the making.
For stroke survivors and their families everywhere, for the future of stroke outcomes, and for Nana. 💜
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
🏃♀️🎶 Buy Me a Song – Marathon Fundraiser! 🎶🏃♀️
Tuesday 1st Jul
Here's how to join in:
Donate £1 per song via my event page (or more if you like!)
Or donate £1 directly to my bank via the link/QR code below if you prefer not to enter your details and I'll pay it in to my page and include your name and song in the message!
Put your song request in the donation reference, comment on this post, or post it directly to the page – I’ll make sure it gets added!
Be as silly or inspirational as you want – I’ll be thinking of you with every beat and every mile.
Thank you to my sponsors
£847.40
Lydia Deane
£141
The Greyhound Inn
Thank you so much to everybody who donated whilst I was singing at the Greyhound in Mansfield on Sunday 24th - your generosity is very much appreciated!
£102.49
Starting Gate Quiz
Cash donated at the Starting Gate quiz from the 28th June - 14th October. Thank you all so much for everything you have donated so far from the weekly quiz, it really is appreciated! xx
£100
Rob & Tricia
Wishing you all the very best on the long tough training road ahead. You have chosen a great cause to run for! Remember to enjoy the day when it finally arrives, you will have learnt it.
£45.94
Lydia
43 weeks to go! 💜 I’ve got this… I hope!
£27.05
Andy Taylor
Best of luck today. You will smash it. Xx
£27.05
Debbie Blagg
Lydia - What you’ve achieved so far is incredible and I’m sure you’ll absolutely smash this. Debbie x
£26
Andrea Watt
You are amaziing Lydia!! Love, Andrea xx
£25
Amanda White
All the best, you are brave. You have it in you to do this, I know.
£25
Jenny Styles
You got this! 🙌🏼❤️🫂
£22
The Greyhound Inn - Contactless
Thank you to those who used the contactless donation machine at my gig at the Greyhound on the 24th August! It really is much appreciated x
£21.84
Blake Yorke
You’ll smash it x
£20
Charlotte Mayfield
So proud of you! You’ve got this 🩷🩷🩷
£20
Natalie Bettinson-horton
You are amazing Lydia for taking on this challenge! Wishing you all the best with your training and looking forward to cheering you on event day!
£20
Mimi Nuzzo
26.2 miles? Personally, I prefer 26.2 pints -but I’ll raise one to you at the finish line! All of us at Team Stroke are proud of you!
£16.56
Marshall
Good luck lovely!
£16.56
Chris Macqueen
All the best Lydia - a big challenge - well done for taking it on!
£16.56
Lucy Burmip
Good luck Lydia. My favourite running track is Dog days are over by Florence and the machine.
£11.33
Pelin Morgan
Yes legend!!!!
£11.33
Rebecca Nightingale
Good Luck Lydia
£11.33
Jayne Witney
Very proud of Lydia for all you have achieved. Your grandparents would be so proud. Go smash it xx
£11.33
Joe Foster
£11.33
Becky Miskin
Well done Lydia, enjoy the training, the marathon will be your lap of honour!
£11.33
Ian Haughton
You go girl
£11.33
Adam Odell
You got this .. ⭐️
£10
Nat Fadden
£10
Sasha Hilton
Hi Lydia. I’ve arrived at your page via your TikToks. Good luck, from one London Marathon Stroke Association runner to another. 💕
£10
Yasar Tanveer
All the best, you'll smash it!
£10
Mel - Starting Gate Quiz 9/7
Thank you so much for your generous donation at the quiz, Mel - I really do appreciate it!
£10
Suzanne (colleague At The Sa)
Lydia - full of admiration for you. Wishing you well with training and prep ... and of course, a great experience on the big day itself. Good luck!
£10
Siobhan Adam
Having met your nana, and knowing you. I have no doubt you’ll do this. I’ll be cheering you on x
£10
Brian & Martin - Starting Gate Quiz
Thank you so much for your kind donation Brian and Martin - I really appreciate it!
£10
Amy Spencer
You've got this!!
£10
Em
Enjoy those cheers on the day, you deserve them!! x x x
£6.11
Donna Jones
Hi Lydia All the very best for your marathon. You're an inspiration. Regards Donna Jones
£5
Lilly Groves
£5
Arron Bonner
Thank you so much, Arron!
£5
The Fraz Man
Gwan Lyd!
£5
Sarah Howells
Go Lydia! 💕
£5
Rose Hart
Smash it Lydia 🏃🏻♀️🔥
£5
Starting Gate 9th July
Thank you so much to whoever donated this at the quiz on the 9th of July - I really do appreciate it!
£5
Mary Deane
Speechless - Lady Gaga!
£5
Graeme Armstrong (sa)
Heart Still Beating - Nathan Dawe/Bebe Rexha Best of luck Lydia!
£2.91
Anonymous
-Bob the builder mambo no.5 -Stamp on the ground - ItaloBrothers
£2
Lydia Deane
Break Free - Ariana Grande & Every Breath You Take - The Police
£2
Tegan Carnell
Thank you so much, Tegan! x
£1.58
The Greek
Hooked on classics pts. 1 & 2 - royal philharmonic orchestra, louis clark (from spotify)
£1.53
Helly
Bon Jovi - Livin’ On A Prayer (perfect for Mile 13 😂)
£1.53
Hayley Curwood
Never gonna give you up - Rick Astley
£1.53
Ann On A Moose
Bloodhound Gang - The Ballad of Chasey Lain
£1.53
Anonymous
Dragonforce- Through the fire & flames
£1.53
Anonymous
Nobuo Uematsu - One Winged Angel
£1.53
Anonymous
Turn Around by Phats and Small
£1.53
Zoe Louise Greenhalgh
I Had a Little Turtle - The McDougalls
£1
Anonymous
Cotton eye joe - rednex
£1
Lydia Deane
Heather Small - Proud
£1
Lydia Deane
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
£1
Lydia Deane
Survive - Lewis Capaldi
£1
Sophie Hewlett
Famous Last Words - My Chemical Romance
£1
Lia Amoroso Armstrong
Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks
£1
Kevin Bonnington
Flat Bottom Girls - Queen (Change the lyric 🤣)
£1
Lydia Deane
Beloved - Mumford & Sons
£1
Yasar Tanveer
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
£1
Anonymous
I just had sex - lonely island
£1
Anonymous
Lose yourself - Eminem
£1
Hayley Curwood
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
£1
Anonymous
Da ya think I'm sexy - Rod Stewart
£1
Anonymous
I'm to sexy - right said fred
£1
Kev Bonnington
Thong Song!
£1
Anonymous
Gangnam style - PSY
£1
Sarah P-l
Ultra Nate - Free
£1
Lydia Deane
Every Breath You Take - The Police
Total fundraising from the Karaoke Party which was more than originally thought - thank you SO much to everybody who donated, and to Emma & Kev for their generosity in letting us take over their lovely pub and for their very generous donation. It really does mean the world <3 xx