Story

I’ve bagged a spot in the 2026 London Marathon! This will be my first-ever marathon, and it’s the perfect opportunity to raise money for a charity very close to my heart: RSPCA Tameside & Glossop. The Motivation: Olive & Willow I’m running for the RSPCA Tameside and Glossop where I adopted my two rescue girls Olive & Willow. These two sisters were rescued by the RSPCA at seven months old, having never experienced the outside world. To them, the sky, the wind, and even the simplest sounds were alien and terrifying. They’ve spent the time since learning how to be puppies, and their resilience is what inspires me to keep going when the training gets tough. If they can find their feet in a big, scary world, I can certainly find my way to the finish line in London. The team at the RSPCA Tameside & Glossop branch are absolute heroes. In just a few short weeks of taking them in, they worked tirelessly to show these girls that the world was a safe place, providing the patience and "puppy basics" they so desperately needed. When I saw the girls' story, I knew immediately they were meant to join our family, and they have truly completed us. Why This Branch Needs Your Support What many people don't realize is that this branch is entirely self-funded. They rely on local donations to keep their doors open. The support they’ve given us since adopting the girls has been staggering - they’ve answered every query, offered reassurance whenever we’ve needed it, and even covered the costs for the girls' vaccinations, spaying, and Olive’s hernia repair! They don’t just rehome animals; they provide a total safety net for the pets and their new humans. The Transformation: From Fear to Fun Because of the RSPCA's dedication, those terrified pups are long gone. The real proof of their progress is in their personalities today; they have gone from hiding away to becoming the undisputed "Sofa Queens" of the house. They’ve traded their fear for a massive streak of mischief - whether it’s their morning zoomies (which are powerful enough to tackle a professional rugby player!) or their expert skills at stealing every sock in the house. Seeing them so happy and full of life is a constant reminder of the incredible work this branch does. The Goal Training for 26.2 miles is daunting, and I’ll admit I’m slightly terrified! I’d much rather be on the sofa with the girls but seeing their progress and how much joy they bring, motivates me get my running shoes on and get out the door to raise money for the charity who saved them and placed them in their forever home with us. Knowing I’m helping the next "Olive or Willow" find their forever home will get me to that finish line. I want to raise as much as possible for this brilliant local branch. Every penny goes straight to the team who gave Olive & Willow their second chance. If you can spare anything at all to help me support them, it would mean the world to me, and to future Olive and Willows