I will be running the London Marathon on the 21st April 2024 in memory of my amazing friend Casey Louise Clarke. I first met Casey during my final year at university and we immediately clicked like we’d know each other for years. We had a spare room at our shared house with 6 other girls and Casey immediately became part of our little family. I will continue to love the girls I lived with at university with all my heart, for my whole life. 

Casey loved to make fun of my (admittedly very embarrassing) ukulele playing phase in my first year of university. She hated when we left bubbles in the shower before she got in. She left long blonde hairs all over the house then refused to accept they were hers when asked about it. We planned for months a joint Harry Potter themed birthday party. She loved trips to the co-op in the evening when we fought over who was going to get the last reduced raspberries or blueberries. After the co-op, we all sat in our tiny living room and religiously watched I’m a celebrity. She shouted at me every single time I stirred my hot chocolate too loudly. Her humour, stubbornness and kindness are to this day, unmatched and her memory will continue to bring us girls together for the rest of our lives.

Casey was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer in 2020 and went through indescribable challenges that nobody should ever have to go through, at such a young age. Her bravery, spirit and outright tenacity was admirable and something we should all aspire to. 

Casey passed away in April 2022. I was at my family home, asleep in bed when I received a call from the girls I lived with in university to tell me Casey was gone. I had messaged her earlier that day in the group chat asking how she was and I still cannot comprehend that she will never respond.

I have not chosen to run this race because I enjoy running, or because I find it easy. I don’t. I find it tiresome, painstakingly slow and on the longer runs, just painful. The half marathon I ran in 2022 for Casey was the hardest physical challenge I have ever taken on in my life. I am choosing to do this because I know it will be hard and I hope that the immense difficulty I will face will make enough of an impact to eventually help someone else. I have chosen to run with Young Lives vs Cancer for that very reason.

I cannot help Casey now but I hope I can help someone in a similar position. If I can make one person or one family’s life easier, I have done my job.

This race is not about me. Please do not donate for me. Donate for Casey. Donate because it matters. Donate because it will make a difference.

Anything you can donate will be greatly appreciated but if not, please do l share my page to those who may be able to donate too. 

I will be posting regular updates on my fundraising Instagram page @lucymoranathon so please keep updated with my training on there!

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I am proud to be running the 2024 TCS London Marathon with Young Lives vs Cancer to ensure no child faces cancer alone.   

Join me in supporting a good cause.  By sponsoring me, your contribution will make a huge difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer.  Whether you donate £5 or £500 you will be making a big impact.  Thank you for your support.  

Every day 12 more children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer.  Young Lives vs Cancer helps families find the strength to face everything cancer throws at them. We’ll face it all together – but we can’t do it without you.