Stamford mum whose son survived cancer to run virtual London Marathon in aid of Children with Cancer UK

A mum from Stamford whose son survived cancer is running a virtual London Marathon today to help a research charity.

Liz Fell, 43, will be lacing up her running shoes with pals Tamsin Sharland, Claire Everett and Kerry Brown.

The four became close friends as they have all seen their children fight and win battles with cancer.

They were planning to run the Virgin Money London Marathon together this year in April in aid of Children with Cancer UK.

But the pandemic scuppered their plans and they are now running the race in their own ways today (Sunday, October 4).

Liz’s son Isaac was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in February 2016 at the age of nine.

He had to have over three years of treatment finishing in May last year and is now a very sporty 14-year-old.

They’ve always been a family of runners so Liz soon joined the Children with Cancer UK team for lots of different races including her only two marathons, London 2018 and 2019.

The mum-of-two, who works part time as a criminal lawyer, said: “I’d got the time I wanted in 2019 and hadn’t planned to run another marathon, but then I became connected with the other marathon mums through social media over our shared experiences and connections with the charity.

“They were so kind saying how I had inspired them and they were all signed up for 2020. How could I not run it with them?! Despite the miles between us we have become good friends throughout the journey of our training.”

With the delayed race and niggling injury Liz had a break in training so says this virtual race will be done in parts over the course of the day but with the added motivation of knowing her fellow marathon mums are running too.