“Running the London Marathon Is My Way of Remembering My Mum and Celebrating My Best Friend’s Strength”

Running a marathon is a massive deal. It’s 26.2 miles of pure grit. But for one 28-year-old woman from Silsden, pounding the pavements of London is about so much more than just crossing a finish line. On Sunday 26th April, Abi Stevens is taking on the TCS London Marathon for two huge reasons: to honour the memory of her amazing mum, Julie, and to have a massive celebration for her best friend, who has shown incredible strength in her recovery from cancer. This marathon is a story of love, loss, and friendship, all while raising money for the brilliant bereavement charity Sue Ryder, which provided her family with so much support.

Image: Abi and her friend Olivia at her first fundraising event for Sue Ryder in 2024

A run for mum's memory

Everyone has that one person they can always turn to. For Abi Stevens, that was her mum, Julie. It’s clear when Abi talks about her that she was the heart of their family. “Mum was just the friendliest person,” Abi says. “She got on with everyone. All my friends loved her, she’d always be doing a little peace sign at them when they walked in. We were a really close, normal, happy family.” It's the kind of bond that shapes who you are. “My Mum was someone I looked up to and admired. Even when I didn’t live at home anymore, we still spoke every single day. I used to call her at the same time every day just to catch up and talk about my day. She helped me with absolutely everything. No matter what it was – a problem, a decision, or even something small and silly – I would always go to her.”

In May 2024, the family’s world was turned upside down when Julie was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. After a period of difficult treatment for the terminal illness, she was admitted to hospital in August. Soon after, she was transferred to Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice for palliative care, where she spent the final two weeks of her life. This run is for her memory.

The comfort of compassionate care

Walking into a hospice can feel scary, but the team there can make all the difference. For Abi and her family, the care Julie received was incredible. The Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice team didn’t just look after Julie; they looked after all of them. "The care at Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice was unbelievable,” Abi explains. “They did everything they could to make her as comfortable as possible. She loved Kenco coffee and they made it exactly how she liked it. There was even an ice-cream van one day, free ice cream for everyone! It sounds small, but those things meant so much.”

It’s often these little moments of normality that mean the world when everything else feels so big and scary. This is what compassionate care is all about. It’s not just about medical treatment; it’s about kindness and making people feel human. “The staff were so friendly, always smiling, always knowing exactly how to talk to us. They made Mum feel cared for, and they made us feel supported too.” Julie sadly passed away on Sunday 8 September, just four days before her 64th birthday, with her family right there with her. And the support from Sue Ryder didn’t stop then. The bereavement charity was there afterwards, making sure the family wasn't left feeling lost. As Abi says, “You don’t walk out thinking, ‘What now?’ They make sure you’re not alone.” It was this incredible support that inspired Abi's fundraising mission.

Image: Abi Stevens out on a training run

A celebration of strength and friendship

As if dealing with her mum’s illness wasn’t enough, Abi was also watching her best friend, Megan, go through her own battle. In July 2024, Megan was diagnosed with stage four cancer. It’s the kind of news that knocks the wind out of you. But this part of the story is a celebration. An amazing, hopeful celebration of Megan’s complete recovery from cancer. Watching two of the most important people in her life go through treatment at the same time was unimaginably tough. “Watching Megan go through treatment was so hard,” Abi says. “Seeing my mum go through it, and then Megan too – it puts everything into perspective.”

This dual experience has given Abi a powerful source of motivation. Her marathon isn't just about sadness; it's also about joy and the sheer strength of the human spirit. "It makes the marathon more emotional, but it also makes me more determined. You’ve always got that in the back of your mind, if they can go through all of that, I can get through this.” It’s a powerful reminder that even on the hardest training runs, she's running for their strength as much as her own.

From spin class to the streets of London

So, how does someone prepare for a marathon? For Abi, who teaches spin classes, it’s been a massive learning curve. She admits she is ‘not a runner’, which makes her commitment to the London Marathon even more inspiring. “The long runs have been hard, especially in the rain, and when you’re doing 20 miles on your own you do think, ‘Why am I doing this?’ But then you remember exactly why you’re doing it. I know it will all pay off in the end.” That ‘why’ is what keeps her going through all the fundraising challenges she has faced.

This isn't Abi's first go at fundraising. She’s already raised thousands for Sue Ryder through events like a 24-hour relay at her local gym. But she has a big goal in mind. “I’d love to get to the £10,000 mark in total,” she says. “It’s a huge amount of money, but it would mean so much knowing it’s going to help other families.” That money will go directly towards providing the same incredible palliative care and family support that meant so much to her.

Getting ready for the big day

On Sunday 26th April, all the training, all the fundraising, and all the emotion will come together on the streets of the capital for the TCS London Marathon. And Abi won't be alone. Her family and friends, including her best friend Megan, will be travelling to London to cheer her on from the sidelines. That support will be a massive boost when the going gets tough. “It’s going to be emotional, but I’m ready, I’m excited, and I know exactly why I’m doing it.”

And what would her mum, Julie, think of all this? “She’d say I’m absolutely crazy,” Abi laughs. “But I know she’d be proud.” And being proud is an understatement. Taking on such a huge challenge to turn pain into something so positive is an incredible tribute. It's a true celebration of life, friendship, and the enduring power of family. You can support Abi’s amazing fundraising efforts at her JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/abi-stevens-2.