Novice Runner Honors Late Mother by Training for London Marathon

Abi Stevens, 28, from Silsden will run the TCS London Marathon to raise money for Sue Ryder. The charity cared for her mother Julie at Manorlands Hospice before she died last September.

Why she is running

Julie was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in May 2024. She spent her final two weeks at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice after a period of treatment.

Abi says the hospice team made her mother comfortable in small, meaningful ways. Staff served Julie her favourite Kenco coffee and brought an ice-cream van to the hospice one day.

Personal tribute and community

Abi describes daily phone calls and close support from her mother during her life. She hopes the marathon will honour that bond and give back to the care team.

As a novice runner, Abi wants the challenge to honour her late mother and to support other families. She began fundraising with friend Olivia at an event in 2024.

Connections that keep her going

Abi is also running in celebration of her best friend Megan. Megan received the all-clear after a stage four cancer diagnosis in July 2024.

That recovery adds emotional weight to Abi’s effort. It also strengthens her determination on race day.

Training and fundraising

Abi works as a spin instructor but says she is not naturally a runner. Long training runs have been tough, especially 20-mile sessions done alone in the rain.

She has taken part in events such as Zip the Cow to raise funds. Her training for London Marathon mixes endurance work and fundraising commitments.

Supporters can back Abi’s fundraising through the Sue Ryder fundraising pages. People interested in joining #TeamSueRyder for the TCS London Marathon 2027 can register interest via the Sue Ryder website.