Please say hello to our amazing Virtual London Marathon team of runners.
Keep scrolling to read their stories and hear why they are supporting TOFS. Please consider sponsoring a runner to show them your support too.
Run on Sunday, 2nd October 2022 – the same day as the mass event in London – the Virtual TCS London Marathon gives runners the freedom to take on the 26.2 miles their own way, on a route of their choice.
Meet our runners
Crystal Brook & Tom Davies
TOFS has been a huge support to our family since the birth of our four year old son Leo (twin to Fox) who was born with OA/TOF.
We’re excited for the opportunity to raise money for TOFS by taking part in this year’s Virtual London Marathon.
Leo’s first two years of life were very difficult, with more hospital admissions than we could count. He has a history of severe respiratory infections (which are thankfully now controlled by azithromycin) and has had ongoing issues with swallowing due to poor oesophageal motility and reflux. Thankfully, he’s not had any serious health issues for a while but still has some issues which will require on-going follow-up.
We will be walking the 26.2 miles for Leo as, if he can go through everything he’s been through with a smile on his face then we can certainly manage this for him!
Diane Stephens
I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to take part in this year’s Virtual London Marathon for TOFS.
This is a cause very close to my heart, having worked for the charity for nearly 15 years, and hearing daily of the amazing resilience and achievements of those who are born with these conditions.
I work with a fantastic team here at TOFS; trustees and volunteers as well as my amazing colleagues, (most of whom have a personal OA/TOF connection), and I see the ongoing challenges many face long after the initial repair, so I’m honoured to be able to do my bit.
I’m only too aware that TOFS gets no public funding, so I want to raise as much money as I can, and raising the profile of OA/TOF and increasing understanding is important too, so this is a great opportunity to do that.
I’m not a runner as such, and I’ve never taken part in something like this before, but I’m determined to stick the course and looking forward to the challenge.
Ross Jarman
Hi, I am doing the London Virtual marathon and I’m raising money for TOFS. My eldest daughter was born with OA/TOF and I want to give something back, TOFS is a charity that offers support and advice for families going through one of the hardest times of their lives.
Not many people know about TOF and I’m hoping by doing this I’m helping to help make the charity and the condition more well known.
Kevin Rolling
I’m raising funds for TOFS – a wonderful charity providing lifelong support for those born unable to swallow. The rare conditions that cause this are oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula.
Despite the wonderful work that TOFS does, these are not well-known conditions, and I wanted to take this opportunity to raise funds and awareness.
It’s over 30 years since my last marathon and I started training earlier this year, however an ancient leg injury is preventing me running any distance, so I’m choosing to walk the full 26.2 miles instead.
Thank you for supporting the great work done by TOFS.
