Alice runs the London Marathon for Scope
In 2027, I’ll be running the London Marathon for Scope, the disability equality charity, in honour of my Auntie Jessie.
During the pandemic, a serious cycling accident changed Jessie’s life. After countless surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation, she made the unimaginable decision to have her leg amputated above the knee. It took incredible courage, made even harder by the grief of losing her beloved brother, my Uncle St John, just a week before her operation. We miss St John every day, but I know he would be so proud of her.
It’s hard to put into words what Jessie has been through, but, if you know her, you’ll know that she would never want to be defined by any of it.
Jessie has spent her life looking after other people as a nurse. She is kind, hilarious, and one of the most determined people I know. Jessie was also an incredible runner herself, completing the London Marathon several times. Her fastest time was an astonishing 3 hours and 2 minutes.
Today, Jessie remains fiercely independent and lives life as she wants to. She gets around on her own, works tirelessly at physiotherapy, and will be walking again on her prosthetic leg very soon. She’s faced so much and still refuses to give up her independence or sense of humour.
Seeing Jessie navigate life after her accident has shown me how many challenges amputees and wheelchair users face every day. It’s also made me realise how much of the world simply isn’t designed with disabled people in mind.
That’s why I’m running for Scope, who work to create a fairer society for disabled people, challenge inequality, and fight for a world where everyone has the same opportunities.
I’m running in honour of Jessie’s strength, carrying St John’s memory with us, and fighting for every disabled person facing challenges many of us can’t imagine.
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There are 16 million disabled people in the UK. That’s one in four of us. Life is harder when you’re disabled. You're twice as likely to be unemployed, getting care is a struggle and the cost of living is higher. It’s wrong and unacceptable.
So, I'm fundraising for Scope to create a fairer society.
We want a future that’s fair to disabled people, always.
Together we’ll use our collective power to change attitudes and end the injustice.
Join me in making this happen. Let's end disability inequality, today.
