A South London runner is lacing up her trainers as she gets ready to take on the TCS London Marathon this week (21 April 2024) in aid of Children with Cancer UK.
Honor O’Neill, 28, from Clapham Common, will be pounding the pavements and completing the world-famous 26.2 mile marathon to help generate crucial funds for Children with Cancer UK – the leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer.
Honor was inspired to take on the marathon challenge in memory of her best friends’ sister, Eve Lyons, who tragically passed away of Stage 4 Ewing Sarcoma Bone Cancer in 2017, at just 11-years-old.
This year will be the first time that Honor has ran the TCS London Marathon, and she is taking on the challenge in memory of Eve, who would have recently turned 18-years-old. She is also running in memory of 3 others – Nicola Law, Bob Hoyle and Isla Pieri.
Honor comments: “Running the TCS London Marathon has always been on my bucket list, and this year I finally plucked up the courage to enter, and commit to the challenge. I’m incredibly motivated to show my support for Children with Cancer UK in memory of Eve and seeing first-hand the impact that childhood cancer and losing somebody so little can have.”
“Running the TCS London Marathon in support of Children with Cancer UK is my way of giving back for the hope they continue to provide. I’m motivated to take on this challenge for Eve, and in support of so many wonderful people I know who have been affected by cancer, and hope to raise some vital funds for Children with Cancer UK to support the important work they do in aiding children and families affected by this disease.”
Honor is hoping to raise £2,000 for Children with Cancer UK, and her current fundraising total sits at almost £1,100.
This year, over 1,300 runners will be completing the TCS London Marathon to help raise crucial funds for Children with Cancer UK, many of whom have a personal connection to the cause. The TCS London Marathon is one of the biggest annual fundraising events for Children with Cancer UK, with last year raising a staggering £2.3 million.
Former marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe MBE, who is an Ambassador for Children with Cancer UK, will be sharing messages of encouragement for this year’s running team.
Paula commented: “The London Marathon is such a special event and I’m always so impressed with the team of runners representing Children with Cancer UK. Whether the runners have personal experience of childhood cancer or they are simply committed to supporting other families facing the unimaginable, their efforts and determination through training and on race day never ceases to amaze. 10 families are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK and it’s funds raised from events such as the London Marathon that help to build our vision of a world where every child survives cancer.”
Yvonne West, Senior Sports Events Manager at Children with Cancer UK, said:
“We’d like to thank Honor and every single runner who is taking part in the TCS London Marathon this year for Children with Cancer UK. Their unwavering dedication, determination and willpower is incredibly inspiring and their fundraising efforts will help us continue to fund ground-breaking scientific research into the treatment and causes of childhood cancer, and provide crucial ongoing support for young cancer patients and their loved ones.
“Every runner, every step and every pound raised will truly make a huge difference in helping to support young cancer patients and their families across the UK. We wish Honor and her fellow runners the very best of luck, and we’ll be cheering them on at the finish line!”
Survival rates for children’s cancers are improving. Fifty years ago, three-quarters of children diagnosed with cancer died; today more than 8 in 10 children diagnosed with cancer in the UK survive. However, with around 4,200 new cases each year in the UK, it is still one of the leading causes of death for children and young people.
To find out more about Honor’s story and to contribute towards her fundraising efforts, visit https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/honor-o-neill.
