Lamorna’s London Marathon Journey for St George’s
25 April 2025
What motivated you to run the London Marathon for St George’s Hospital Charity?
Lamorna: In November 2022, the team at St George’s Hospital performed life-saving surgery on my boyfriend, Sam, after discovering an abscess in his brain earlier that day. The support, care and kindness received by Sam and his family during his recovery was extraordinary, so I wanted to honour this by fundraising for St George’s Hospital Charity.
I always wanted to run the London Marathon but had previously never taken the extra step of signing up. After Sam's surgery, we both made the extra effort to throw ourselves into new challenges and this seemed like the perfect time to give the marathon a go! It’s my first marathon and my first race! I feel very fortunate to be part of the St George's team and I can't wait to represent the charity on marathon day.
Sam: I was referred to St George’s for a same-day brain surgery after having an MRI following a failed opticians visit, due to their renowned neurological department. I stayed in the Mckissock Ward and the care I received was excellent. Following the outstanding care at St George’s I am lucky enough to say my lifestyle has essentially returned to normal. Outside of a couple of early setbacks, I continue to be active and social, returning to work full time and last year I was fortunate enough to take a sabbatical to travel for 3 months with Lamorna, something we had wanted to do for a long time!
How are you preparing for the event? What are you most looking forward to?
I signed up to the event as a novice runner so initially I had to be patient and begin with short, achievable runs. I wanted to enjoy the experience as much as possible so I tried to set realistic goals that wouldn't put too much pressure on myself in the early stages. Over the past few months, I have been following a more structured training plan which I adapt around my work and social schedules. I have found this structure really motivating and I enjoy seeing the progress I make each week. Ultimately, I'm really looking forward to crossing the finish line and seeing all my friends and family on the day. However, I'm also excited to continue this newfound hobby once the challenge is completed!
The money you raise will fund improvements to the hospital experience for over 1 million patients and 10,000 NHS staff. What difference do you hope your fundraising will make?
Seeing the extraordinary care Sam was given at St George's is something I hope others will continue to experience for a long time. I would love to think that the money raised during this challenge will help support this ambition.
What advice would you give to somebody thinking of taking on a challenge for St George’s Hospital Charity?
When I heard that my place was confirmed I thought the journey to the marathon would be a long, solo one. However, I have been amazed by the continuous support from St George's Hospital Charity which has made the whole process so much easier. I would encourage others to take on a challenge with the charity - it's worth it!
You can support Larmorna on her JustGiving page.
