Meet the 2018 Tourettes Action London Marathon Team

Posted on 27 February 2018 by Pippa McClounan

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Find out what inspires our 6 super-star runners to take on the iconic 26.2 miles through the streets of our capital.

Sandy Foster - donate here

"I am running the marathon for TA because my 14 year old nephew suffers with TS. I myself have had OCD, a co-occurring feature of TS and therefore know first-hand the distress that both conditions can cause and am delighted to be running for such a wonderful charity that will be able to put the money to such good use. On the big day, when the miles get tough, I'll be thinking of my nephew and all the people that not only live with TS but thrive and succeed despite and because of it".

Craig Edwards - donate here

"I am running for TS on behalf of Adam, my elder son. I want to predominantly raise awareness of TS so that more people are understanding and supportive. I am so proud of the way Adam deals with it and can definitely say that Adam has TS, TS does not have Adam!

My sons are a massive inspiration to me and I am hugely proud of them both and the people they are."

Janet Johansson - donate here

"Hi, my name is Janet and I am running the London Marathon for Tourette’s Action. This is my first marathon and I am so excited!

I am running in honour of my dad who has Tourette Syndrome. He wasn’t diagnosed until he was 31 because the doctors he saw in Chester didn’t really know about it. He actually ended up being diagnosed by a specialist in London, which seems mad considering how many people are affected. TA do amazing work and I am so proud to have this opportunity to support them!"

Ben Parsons - donate here

"I was home from university last year and attended the Tourette's Action Kent support group that my mum and dad run. I was chatting to everyone and was blown away by the courage of the children and young people. I heard about how the condition affects their daily lives and how they cope with schoolwork or employment, despite having an eye blinking tic which means they can’t see their paperwork or a hand twisting tics which makes writing difficult. I also heard as to how the behavioural aspects of the condition can make family life difficult for the sufferer, their parents, spouses, carers and siblings.

My sister has had Tourette's Syndrome since she was a child; she is now 20 years old. I am immensely proud that despite her TS, she has achieved so much. This has only been possible with the unconditional support from my parents and the support group they set up for families experiencing the same. It is for my sister, and those of the Tourette's Action Kent Support Group, that I am raising money for Tourette's Action."

Caroline Whiting - donate here

“Hi, I’m Caroline and I feel very lucky and privileged to be running the London marathon for a cause so close to my heart. My son Jack was diagnosed with Tourettes at the age of 7; he’s now 12 and copes fantastically with the condition. I’m a regular runner but this doesn’t mean this is any easier to train for - it’s tough, mentally and physically, and some days it hurts. When it’s cold, dark, wet and windy out there, you still have to put your trainers on and run. Thinking of my boy’s face at the finish line is what keeps me going on those long, cold winter runs, and knowing that the money I raise will go towards raising awareness and understanding of this misunderstood and under-researched condition which is part of our lives every day. I’m looking forward to wearing my vest and running proudly through the streets of London for TA.”

Nancy Doyle - donate here

Chartered Psychologist and CEO at Genius Within, Nancy Doyle worked with the BBC to create and deliver the award-winning series Employable Me. Nancy works with those on the show to connect them to their inner genius and develop the confidence to keep working on their career goals.

After working on the show, Nancy became aware that despite a similar prevalence to autism, there are only four published studies on the impact of Tourette Syndrome at work! This inspired Nancy into action and she will be joining 40,000 others in April along the streets of London where she will be raising funds and awareness for Tourettes Action.

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