London Marathon 2019 – introducing #TeamTSA

Drumroll please….. we are introducing our amazing #TeamTSA
London Marathon 2019 team. Please read below to learn about our fantastic
five and why they have chosen to run to raise funds for the TSA! Also included are all the ways you can support them!

Steve Picton 

Steve, 49, from Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan, is the godfather of Luke, his 10-year-old inspiration, who has TSC.  Steve’s wife, Juliet, is supporting Steve in his training and fundraising for the TSA, as she won a free place into this year’s London Marathon in a competition organised by Lucozade!  Steve says that he could not have started 2019 in a better place – by completing a New Year’s Day Park Run in Luke’s home town, Newtown. 
You can follow Steve’s progress through his marathon journey by following his humorous blog, which can be found at https://cymrustone.wixsite.com/tsalondon Steve says he will not start the Virgin London Marathon until he has raised £2,000 for TSA.  So to get Steve to the starting line please visit his fundraising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stephen-picton-marathon-2019 

Sarah Ridings and Jamie Heselden 

Sarah, 39, and Jamie, 41, from West Yorkshire are running the Virgin London Marathon 2019 for TSA for two reasons.  The first reason is that the TSA is a charity very close to their hearts because a very close family member is affected by TSC.  The second reason is that Sarah will be celebrating her 40th birthday a few days after the marathon.  Sarah says, ‘What better way to celebrate being 40 than to run this iconic marathon, with my husband by my side, while supporting the TSA?’  

Sarah and Jamie explain that their training is going well, and they are both really enjoying it.  The couple have joined a local running club.  Sarah is really pushing herself while running with the club, as Jamie feels more confident. Jamie is aiming to complete the marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes, as Sarah says she is just happy to finish!
You can see more information about what has inspired Sarah and Jamie to run the London marathon for TSA on their Just Giving page, which can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sarahandjamie2019

Lauren McWhinnie 

Lauren, 20, from Fremington, Devon, is the first woman with TSC to run London Marathon. Lauren wants to run the Virgin London Marathon because running has helped her to gain control over TSC.  She says that ‘Running makes me feel confident and happy. And, it makes me feel like I’ve got a voice. When I am running I just focus on what I am doing and I can forget about everything else. So it makes me feel happy and I relax.’
Lauren is one of a team of six runners based around the village who are running the 2019 London Marathon –  they are all members of the Fremington Trailblazers Running Club and are supporting each other to fundraise for their respective wonderful charities. If you would like to support Lauren and the TSA by making a donations please visit https://tsassociation.worldsecuresystems.com/make-a-donation-tsa.html

Daniel Marks 

Daniel, 41, from Tiptree, Essex is running the Virgin London Marathon 2019 because he has a daughter who was diagnosed with TSC in 2015 at 4 months old. Daniel has previously taken part in events and raised money for the TSA, and he wants to use this as an opportunity to continue to increase awareness of TSC as well as raising much needed funds for TSA. 

“Running the London Marathon has been something I have always wanted to do and it means even more to know I am raising money and awareness for a charity which is very close to my heart,” says Daniel. “The TSA provides amazing support to individuals and families and their medical research is invaluable.
“Training has been tough especially in the cold weather, but I have been helped along by my son Buddy who has been running or cycling with me.  I’m signed up to some local runs including the Colchester half marathon in March.  I plan to put in a lot more miles over the coming months to prepare me for the big day….. watch out Mo Farah!!” 

You can support Daniel by visiting his Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/danielsmarathon2019

All of our fundraisers can be supported by making one donation.  Please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/tuberous/londonmarathon2019 and support all of our supporters at the same time!