Meet the London Marathon 2024 runners of the Maidenhead area

Runners taking part in the TCS London Marathon are limbering up for the big race on Sunday. We spoke to some of the entrants from our area about their preparations for the event, their motivation and who they are raising funds for.

Andy and Laura Collins

Husband and wife Andy and Laura Collins are taking on their first marathon to support British child protection charity, the NSPCC.

Early morning runs in the wind and rain have been a big feature of their respective training regimes.

At the weekends, the Pinkneys Green couple have clocked countless miles around Cookham and Cliveden accompanied by their children Ruby and Arthur and miniature labradoodle Freddie Mercury Collins.

Andy, co-founder of Maidenhead Electrical, and LVS deputy headteacher Laura said: “Our kids are our world but not all kids are lucky enough to have parents that will love and protect them before anyone else. The NSPCC works tirelessly to put that wrong, right.”

Andy thanked all the businesses, friends and family who have supported the couple’s fundraising campaign.

Go to www.tinyurl.com/4vcuftfz to donate.

Hilton Lindo

Inspired by his wife Jyotika’s battle with Multiple Sclerosis, Burnham jogger Hilton Lindo is running in aid MS-UK.

Jyotika, a former director of Burnham Community Association, was diagnosed with the disease 20 years ago just six months after the couple’s wedding.

Hilton said he has shown ‘unwavering dedication’ when sticking to his ‘relentless training’ schedule undertaken in all types of weather to honour the courageous way Jyotika approaches each day.

Her condition has progressed over the years from ‘relapsing-remitting’ to ‘secondary progressive’ and she now permanently relies on a wheelchair.

Hilton has seen his JustGiving target burst past the £5,000 originally set.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hiltonlindo24 

Jordan Thomas

A Maidenhead resident will have a birthday to remember this year after taking on the marathon one day before turning 30.

Jordan Thomas said he has tried to take part in the London Marathon for 10 years and has been offered a charity place through Oxfam.

Inspired by his dad, who completed the marathon a few years ago, Jordan will be taking on the 26-mile run for the first time.

He said: “This is double special as my birthday is on the Monday, so what a challenge to complete in the last day of my 20s.”

Jordan’s fundraising page can be viewed at: www.tinyurl.com/ytd2x6se 

Simon Graves

A Slimming World member from Maidenhead is set to achieve his goal of running the London Marathon 2024 after losing 4st 11lbs.

Simon Graves, 59, is one of 17 members, consultants and head office staff representing Slimming World in its official marathon team.

The runners are raising funds for Cancer Research UK, the Irish Cancer Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK, the company’s official charity partners.

Simon is taking on the run for Cancer Research UK

He said: “I’m proud to be running the London Marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK as I sadly lost my father to cancer when I was just 13 years old.

“If my support can help even just one family who are going through what I went through, it’s definitely worth it.”

To sponsor the team, visit: https://justgiving.com/campaign/sw-londonmarathon2024 

Lauren Taylor

A Maidenhead resident who landed a last-minute place for the London Marathon will be taking on the 26-mile run for Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.

Lauren Taylor, 40, started running during lockdown and after being unsuccessful in the ballot and in her charity application, she was put on the waiting list and a last-minute placement with Make-A-Wish Foundation UK became available.

With only seven weeks of training and having only ever ran three miles previously, Lauren will be taking on the marathon with the hope of raising £2,500 for the charity.

Lauren said: “The money raised will help grant a child their wish, and to enjoy a day with their family away from hospital appointments and treatment and to create magical memories.”

Her fundraiser can be found at: www.tinyurl.com/ewjw74 

Jasmine Boffin

Jasmine Boffin, from Flackwell Health, is running for Helen & Douglas House children’s hospice.

The charity gave respite to her brother Charlie (also pictured), who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy and needs 24/7 care.

“It changed our lives,” said Jasmine. “He received the most exceptional care during his stays at Helen & Douglas House and he loved his time there.

“It gave us a chance to create memories as a family without worrying about Charlie’s care needs.”

As a newbie runner, running the London Marathon 2024 will be ‘a massive challenge’ for Jasmine, she said.

To support Jasmine and donate to Helen & Douglas House, visit www.tinyurl.com/yzrzuzwb 

Julia Philipson

Julia Philipson, 54, is running to raise money for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice and Fulham Reach Boat Club.

As a former hospice employee and active volunteer, she said it was a charity ‘very close to my heart’.

Her other cause - Fulham Reach Boat Club – is a sports development charity which works to promote access to rowing.

Julia said knowing her efforts were helping two important organisations, would provide the motivation needed to push through difficult stretches.

She added: “I thought – if I had a go – people would never believe that it’d be able to do it so they would get behind me to raise money for a great local cause and the other charity I help in London.”

For more information, visit her fundraising page at: www.tinyurl.com/4fbdcnw4 

Alex Cobb

Maidenhead resident, Alex Cobb is a ‘proud’ supporter of the charity Mencap, helping people with learning disabilities, and will run the marathon to raise funds for the cause.

The 27-year-old said he is taking on the challenge because ‘charities like Mencap, fill the void where the education system can’t’.

“I have learning difficulties because I’m semantic pragmatic on the autism spectrum and growing up I always had people’s judgment, had barriers to getting to where I needed to,” he said.

“Luckily Mencap is a charity that supports me with counselling to help me get over the anxiety of having a learning difficulty, being different, to sort of own that, what I call, a superpower.”

He said the national charity provides local services that the council can’t such as counselling, career coaching and supportive services for people with Down syndrome or severe learning difficulties.

He said the process of training for the marathon has been ‘daunting’ and added: “I’ve never run a marathon before. It’s been rigorous, you have to be mentally resilient, and diet is also really key so it’s the physical and mental discipline as well. It’s given me a really good focus that I’m sure I’ll take on beyond this.”

To support Alex, visit: www.tinyurl.com/tefj99dx  

George Clifton and George Jensen

Childhood friends George Clifton and George Jensen will be leaning on each other for support as they take on their first marathon on Sunday.

The duo grew up together and both attended Furze Platt Senior School.

Last month they laced up their trainers and took on the Paris Half Marathon, matching each other stride for stride around the French capital.

Their attention now turns to Sunday’s daunting 26.2 mile challenge.

George Clifton, 22, told the Advertiser: “In Paris we were running next to each other the whole way and did the exact same times.

“I think we’re both good with each other and Sunday will be similar to Paris.

“Training has been made a lot easier with someone.”

The pair will be running in aid of Whizz-Kidz, a children’s wheelchair disability charity.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/george-clifton-tcs-london-marathon-2023-charity-place or www.justgiving.com/fundraising/george-jensen to donate.