Local early childhood specialist to run the London Marathon in memory of her mum

A local early childhood specialist from Sidcup is preparing to take on the London Marathon on 26 April, raising funds for the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. 

Colette, Early Childhood Specialist from Bright Horizons’ South Division, will run the full 26.2-mile course after successfully securing a place in the marathon following seven years of entering the ballot. 

Colette’s participation is inspired by her late mother, who was diagnosed with lymphoma. Throughout her illness, she showed remarkable strength and resilience, motivating Colette to take on the challenge. 

Prior to her mother’s diagnosis, fitness and exercise were never something Colette looked forward to. But seeing her mum go through cancer, Colette decided she wanted to do something outside of her comfort zone. 

After her mother’s passing, Colette remained determined to fulfil her promise to run the London Marathon in her honour, despite multiple unsuccessful ballot attempts. Now she has secured a place, she has committed to a structured training plan, running four times a week and gradually building her endurance ahead of race day. 

Having previously raised money for cancer research charities through various fundraising efforts, Colette decided, having received her mother’s support before her passing, to fundraise for the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. 

Established in 2005, the Foundation supports vulnerable children and families experiencing adversity, including domestic violence, abuse, homelessness, parental imprisonment and ill health. Through its Bright Spaces programme, the Foundation creates safe, nurturing environments where children can play, recover and build positive relationships. 

Colette is aiming to raise £777 – 7 for the number of years it took to secure a place in the marathon and the number of years her mum was cancer free before her diagnosis with incurable lymphoma – for the Foundation, and hopes her fundraising will help support the continued development of these spaces and make a meaningful difference to children and families across the UK. 

Colette, Early Childhood Specialist from Bright Horizons’ South Division, said: 
“Exercise was never my forte – I had completed a marathon in 1991, but I hadn’t trained properly at all so ending up walking the majority of it. It took me over 6 hours. But when my mum was diagnosed with cancer, I knew I had to get out of my comfort zone and do something that would really make a difference in her honour.  

“I’m proud to be able to run such an iconic race in her memory, and to be able to raise funds for such an important cause. The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children supports children and families through some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and knowing the money raised will help create safe, nurturing spaces for children gives every mile real purpose.” 

To find out more about the Bright Horizons Foundation for Children, visit: https://brightspaces.org.uk/