Marathon marvels Rachel and Sophie tell us why they’re running 26.2 miles for Contact on 21 April

3 mins read

Friday 12 April 2024

Rachel Ramsden from Teignmouth in Devon and Sophie Morris from Bushey, Hertfordshire are 2 of 18 runners getting ready to get, set go on 21 April at this year’s London Marathon.

An amazing commitment, we caught up with them to find out what inspired them to take part in the London Marathon for Contact.

39 year old Sophie, a chartered tax consultant, was inspired to run and raise vital funds for Contact after hearing about her friend’s experience caring for a child with complex needs.

Sophie says: “Contact seemed like the perfect charity for me to support by running the London Marathon. I took up running two years ago and through it met my good friend Angela whose son Thomas has complex needs. Angela’s family has been supported by Contact for many years and on our runs she told me more about the challenges she faces as the parent of a disabled child – and the support Contact has given her to help overcome them.

“Talking to Angela really inspired me to take this challenge on. I know that thinking of Thomas’ smiley face will easily get me across the finishing line!”

If you’d like to donate and help Sophie smash her fundraising target please visit her JustGiving page.

Third marathon run for Rachel

43 year old medical secretary Rachel who is from Teignmouth told us:

“I’m a working mum with two children. My youngest son, Harvey, is 8 years old and is autistic. He is also non-verbal and has learning and developmental disabilities and needs help with all aspects of self-care. He is my world!

“I wanted to raise money and run this year’s London marathon for a charity that understands the challenges families like mine face when their child has additional support. This will be my third marathon and I am determined to come in under 5 hours so have been training really hard.”

You can donate to help Rachel’s fundraising efforts by visiting her JustGiving page.

Kaya Korablina from Contact’s fundraising team says: “Running 26 miles is a monumental challenge and we’re incredibly proud and humbled by Rachel and Sophie’s dedication, hard work, training and fundraising to support our work. It really does make a difference and helps us to continue to provide vital support to families with disabled children up and down the country. That’s why we will be there on the day cheering and congratulating all of those running the London Marathon for us this year and their efforts to help us help more families with disabled children.”

Best of luck to you both from all of us at Contact!