Manchester mum inspired to run London marathon to raise awareness of her daughter’s health condition

Wednesday March 27, 2019

Contact is lucky to have a wonderful team of 19 amazing runners taking part in this year's London Marathon. We are inspired and humbled by their tremendous training and fundraising efforts, and will be finding out a bit more about them in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Here Claire Seneviratne from Didsbury in Manchester tells us why she is running one of the most famous road races in the world, to raise money for Contact.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I'm a married mum of two fab children. I work freelance as a designer, currently for a company designing greetings cards.

Why did you decide to support Contact by taking part in the London Marathon?

Following a brain scan my daughter Isla was diagnosed with cerebral palsy - right sided hemiplegia at age 2. My husband Tom and I were shell shocked to say the least. We weren't expecting to hear that she has a lifelong condition - especially as it wasn't picked up for two years.

We felt quite clueless about what it really meant for Isla and us as a family. Hemihelp, which is part of Contact, providing information and advice to families whose children have Hemiplegia, were a fantastic support and reassurance to us. They gave us practical ideas to support Isla now and in the future. I am running to raise money so that other families can continue to receive this invaluable support at difficult times.

What has been the biggest challenge in your London marathon journey so far? 

Although I have amazing support it has still been quite tricky to fit training into busy family life. The weather hasn't helped either. There have been times I've been out running with hailstones bouncing off me when I've questioned what the heck I'm doing! I have also struggled with the mental aspect of having to convince myself that I CAN do this!

What are you most/least excited about?

Most excited about - being part of something so huge, seeing the amazing crowds, making my family proud, a glass of prosecco at the end! 

Least excited about - The possibility of not making it round, having to do a Paula!! :) blisters.

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside running?

My family and job keep me pretty busy but if I ever do get a spare few minutes I like cooking, running- obviously! and the occasional Mums night out!

To sponsor Claire in the London Marathon go to her Virgin Money fundraising page.