Laura Mcgonagle

I'm fundraising for...

….It’s finally happening !! 

As some of you may know running London Marathon has always been a dream of mine … I’ve entered year after year after year in the ballot and never been one of those lucky ones. I’ve had a love hate relationship with running for a few years now but this dream has always stayed consistent! 

This year was the same as every previous year, the dreaded ‘not this time!’ email. However, 2027 is a special year for me as I turn 30 and I’d always said I’d like to do a marathon before I’m 30 so I decided to apply for a charity place to help a cause that means a lot to me and here we are! Running London Marathon 6 days before my 30th birthday for Arthritis UK, a charity very close to my family, especially my Dad! 

As most of you are aware my Dad has Psoriatic Arthritis. Growing up I’ve seen the effect this condition has on my Dad and our family and the work Arthritis UK do is taking huge steps combating this! 

My dad will also be running London Marathon 2027 and I couldn’t think of a better running buddy!! He’s wrote some words below; 

‘’I am so proud to say that my daughter Laura McGonagle will be running London Marathon 2027

From her side it has always been a dream to run a marathon before she is 30 and to do this, she has chosen to run for Arthritis UK – a charity that means so much to me personally due to my condition of Psoriatic Arthritis.

Throughout her life Laura saw the impact this Arthritis had on my life. Very unfit and unable to undertake simple tasks such as being unable to open jars, could not alter the temperature in the shower and she watched as every month I had my haircut by her mum – could not visit the hairdresser as I was so embarrassed of the Psoriasis on my head.

Life then changed considerably when I got the diagnosed and got onto the correct medication. The Psoriasis disappeared and my joints improved dramatically which enabled me to start running, entering races that gradually increased in distance and ended up with me running London Marathon for Arthritis UK and collecting money for a charity that means so much to me.

Arthritis UK do so much work and aim for a future free from Arthritis. They do a huge amount in raising awareness and look to do all they can to improve the lives of people with Arthritis by investing in Research and looking to ensure access to the right treatments so we can live our lives to the full.

I will be there to run alongside Laura and do all I can to help along the way with this amazing challenge which means so much to me and for the charity that has helped me so much and for my own daughter to be doing this makes me so proud

All donations to her will be so very much appreciated and thanks for reading this and your understanding.’’

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page for my London Marathon! Over 10 million people in the UK live with arthritis, affecting their ability to work, study, care for family, move free from pain and live independently. But arthritis is still poorly understood and far too little is done. That’s why Arthritis UK funds life-changing research, supports those affected and campaigns for change. Arthritis UK won’t rest until everyone with arthritis has access to the treatments and support they need to live the life they choose, with real hope of a cure in the future.