When you’re watching the London Marathon this April, look out for a guy with a big heart and an even bigger reason to run. Patrick Simpson, originally from Yorkshire but now based in Glasgow, is taking on the full 26.2 miles—not for a medal or personal record, but for his sister, Tess, and the charity that helped her rediscover life when everything changed.
A sister’s journey through autism, vision loss, and a rare brain tumour
Growing up, Patrick and Tess went to the same high school, thanks to the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) support it offered. Tess, who is autistic, was doing well. But then, at just 16, things took a frightening turn.
She was diagnosed with a rare pituitary brain tumour, dangerously close to her optic nerve. Surgery saved her life—but it came at a cost. Tess lost much of her sight and began living with a complex mix of hormone-related health conditions that come with pituitary issues. She was eventually registered as severely visually impaired.
Imagine trying to rebuild your life at that age, in a world that’s suddenly hard to see and even harder to understand. It’s overwhelming. That’s where Henshaws Specialist College in Harrogate came in.
A place that just ‘got’ her
Most schools or colleges aren’t equipped to support young people who have a mix of autism, visual impairment, and ongoing health needs. But Henshaws was different. They had the right training, the right facilities, and most importantly, the right mindset.
The college supports students aged 16 to 25 with sight loss and complex needs. And it didn’t just support Tess academically—it gave her the confidence and independence to keep going.
Patrick says, “Having a place that was close to home and had the specialism and understanding to support her with her autism and visual impairment was amazing. We were just so pleased she was happy.”
Marathon motivation: a decade of gratitude
Fast forward to now. Tess is 30, lives in supported accommodation, and still goes home for weekends and holidays. She’s a total Disney fan (Disney princesses are her thing), and she loves seaside trips with her support staff—especially if there are chips involved.
Meanwhile, Patrick, 28, who works in marketing for a disability charity, is gearing up for the London Marathon on April 27. He took up running during the Covid lockdowns—bit of a lockdown cliché, but in the best way—and has already done four half marathons. Now, he’s going for the big one.
And he’s doing it to raise £2,000 for Henshaws.
“Henshaws has been a huge part of Team Simpson’s life for over a decade and has made a humongous difference to our family’s life, as well as to countless others,” Patrick writes on his fundraising page.
It’s more than a run—it’s about community
For Patrick, this isn’t just about fundraising. It’s about giving back to a charity that helps people feel included and understood, whether that’s through college support, creative outlets, or just having a place where you’re not seen as your diagnosis.
“Henshaws lets people be part of a community and be creative,” Patrick says. “As a disabled person, having opportunities means a lot. Often, disabled people don’t get those opportunities, even though they have skills and want to demonstrate them.”
From the Specialist College in Harrogate to the Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough, Henshaws is doing the kind of work that flies under the radar but changes lives in massive ways.
The power of a cheer
Patrick’s not nervous about the race—he’s excited.
“Everyone has said the atmosphere at the London marathon is unlike anything else. I feel ready to give the big one a go for Henshaws,” he says. “I know from doing half marathons that if you’re flagging a bit and someone cheers you on, it gives you such a lift.”
So if you’re heading down to watch the London Marathon this year, give Patrick a cheer. Or, better yet, chuck a few quid towards his fundraiser. Every donation helps another young person like Tess find their path again.
Support Patrick and run for Henshaws
- Support Patrick’s marathon fundraiser: Click here
- Interested in running for Henshaws? Email: [email protected]
- Date of the race: Sunday, April 27, 2025
Henshaws has been there for the Simpson family—and now Patrick’s running to make sure it can be there for the next family who needs it. Let’s help him get to that £2,000 goal.
