My Story

I’ve just turned 60 and my plan is to run the London Marathon for the Big Issue. The last one I ran was when I was 50. So my plan is to run at 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100. And then I’ll retire!

To be wearing the Big Issue colours is incredible. I’ll be happy just to get round the course. I think I’ll be okay at 20 miles, but I don’t know where I’m going to find that next six miles.

The training has been going okay. I really stepped it up at the end of last year. I played Scrooge at the Old Vic before Christmas and that really helped because it was so physical. But 26 miles is 26 miles.

I have been an Ambassador for the Big Issue since 2020 and was first on the magazine’s cover in 1996. I remember when it was launched. And to see something like the Big Issue born makes you proud. Because you feel like the social conscience of the nation is active. 

I am running for all those people who face barriers to work that the Big Issue supports to help them escape poverty for good.