A 50-year-old franchise founder and former professional dancer from South-East London will do a TikTok at every mile of the TCS London Marathon, when she takes on the iconic 26.2-mile race next month.
Anne-Marie Martin, from Plumstead, is the founder and franchisor of diddi dance, an award-winning dance program for preschoolers, offering classes nationwide. She’s signed up to run her first marathon for Caudwell Children, a charity supporting disabled and neurodivergent children across the UK.
Mum-of-two Anne-Marie, who has more than 65,000 followers on her TikTok account originaldiddidancer, said: “The idea of filming a TikTok at every mile marker, is to boost funds and awareness for Caudwell Children.
“I’ve been supporting the charity for many years. Diddi dance has been involved in Children’s Activities Week – which raises funds for Caudwell Children every May – since its inception in 2008. I was inspired to get behind the cause when I discovered one of my franchisees was a beneficiary of the charity, receiving specialist equipment from them, for her disabled son.
“Then, in 2020, during lockdown, I did a 24-hour non-stop ‘diddi danceathon’, raising more than £5,000 for Caudwell Children, which was just incredible.”
Anne-Marie has historically been a spectator at the London Marathon, but reaching her 50th birthday spurred her on to be part of the world’s biggest annual one-day fundraising event, as a runner.
She said: “My husband’s ran it twice before and every year we go down to Woolwich to watch the event, but this year, having turned 50 in October, I thought: ‘why not do something significant to mark my milestone birthday?’.
Anne-Marie, who recently danced in a TV commercial for the beauty brand, Dove, added: “I’m really passionate about demonstrating that for women, life doesn’t end of 50. I’m post-menopausal and this is also about proving to myself that my body can still do amazing things. It feels really life-affirming to be taking it on at this stage of my life.”
Caudwell Children is a UK charity providing practical and emotional support for disabled and neurodivergent children and young people, and their families. Their services include autism assessments, specialist equipment and funding, family support sessions, and occupational therapy.
Kathryn Turner-Morgan, Challenges Manager at Caudwell Children said: “Whether through dance-themed fundraisers, attending our Butterfly Balls, or now, running a marathon, Anne-Marie continues to be a wonderful and inspirational supporter of our cause and for that, we’re extremely grateful.
“We love her innovative idea to TikTok her way around the course. As well as raising vital funds to help disabled and neurodivergent children reach their potential, Anne-Marie is doing a fantastic job of raising awareness of Caudwell Children. We’re so grateful for her support!”
Founded in 2000 by entrepreneur, business leader and philanthropist John Caudwell, Caudwell Children has grown over the past 25 years into a leading UK charity dedicated to supporting disabled and neurodivergent children and their families. All donations directly fund practical and emotional services, which have been carefully developed with the direct input of children and families.
To donate to Caudwell Children via Anne-Marie’s fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/page/anne-marie-londonmarathon26
