Introducing our amazing 2026 London Marathon Runners
We are incredibly humbled that 16 runners are taking on the London Marathon this year in support of our charity.
Our team of 16 is made up of both NHS staff working in our hospitals and members of the public, each bringing their own story and personal motivation for supporting the hospitals, wards and services that care for our local communities every day.
Alongside our charity‑allocated places, we are also very fortunate to have three runners who have chosen to support us with their own ballot places, as well as one runner taking part with a Good for Age place.
Their dedication means we can continue funding enhanced care, specialist equipment, improved environments and the small touches that make a big difference to patients and families.
To all our runners – thank you, we are so grateful for your support.
Let’s meet Team DBHC:
Andrew Dekker – supporting the Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity general fund
Orthopaedic Consultant, Andrew began running in 2019 to improve his health and went on to lose an incredible 5.5 stone. What started out as park jogs soon progressed into 10Ks, half marathons, marathons and even ultra‑runs. During lockdown, running became a true passion for Andrew. With the London Marathon at the top of his bucket list, Andrew is proud to use his ballot place to raise money for the hospital he works in.
Support Andrew here.
Andrew Robinson – supporting the Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity general fund
After being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2024, Andrew credits the NHS FIT test and swift treatment for saving his life. Fitness became a vital part of his recovery, and he’s now taking on the London Marathon to give back to the UHDB teams who supported him throughout his journey. Andrew hopes his fundraising will help more people receive early diagnoses and the same supportive care. Support Andrew here.
Ben Fox – supporting NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
Ben is running for NICU after his son Jacob was born 12 weeks early, weighing just 2lb 4oz. Thanks to lifesaving care Jacob received in Burton and 12 weeks in Derby’s NICU, Jacob is now a thriving toddler. Ben is taking on the marathon to thank the teams who supported his family through the toughest time of their lives and who continue to care for premature and critically ill babies every day. Support Ben here.
Craig Day – supporting the Burton Chemotherapy Unit
UHDB Pathology Logistics Technician, Craig is running in memory of his mum, who sadly passed away from cancer. The compassion and dedication shown by the team at Burton’s Chemotherapy Unit made a lasting impact, and Craig is proud to give back by supporting the patients and families who will rely on their care in the future. Support Craig here.
Elliot Sellors – supporting the Combined Day Unit
Elliot has already raised more than £1,600 for the Combined Day Unit after completing the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2025 – and now he’s stepping up to the full marathon. Elliot’s mum is currently receiving ongoing cancer treatment in the CDU, and after visiting the unit himself, Elliot was deeply moved by the team’s kindness and compassion. Running the marathon is Elliot’s way of showing appreciation for the care his family has received. Support Elliot here.
Helen Watmough – supporting Same Day Emergency Care
Helen is running in support of the Same Day Emergency Care team, where she works as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner. Helen sees firsthand how specialist monitoring equipment can transform patient care and is determined to help fund more of it. Helen is proud to run for the patients and colleagues she supports every day. Support Helen here.
Ieyshia Ruston – supporting NICU & Gynaecology
Registered Nurse Associate, Ieyshia, is running for two causes that mean a lot to her – premature babies and women facing complex gynaecological health challenges. Ieyshia is fundraising to support both areas to enhance their equipment, training and patient environments. Ieyshia is inspired by the patients she meets every day and is proud to run in their honour.
Support Ieyshia here.
James Fawcett – supporting NICU & Maternity
James is running for the NICU and Maternity teams who cared for his wife and both of his sons during complicated births. Their skill, compassion and support made an enormous difference during a difficult time. James hopes his fundraising will help these services continue supporting families when they need it most.
Support James here.
James Fitzgerald – supporting the Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity general fund
James is undertaking the London Marathon and several additional challenges in support of Derby & Burton Hospitals, whose work has influenced both his personal and professional journey. James’ experience at Derbyshire County Cricket Club highlighted the importance of robust community healthcare, consistently delivered by our hospitals.
With a family member training as a doctor within the Trust, James’ appreciation for the dedication of NHS staff has deepened further. As an experienced long‑distance runner, James is proud to use his abilities to give back to his local community.
Support James here.
Katie Clarke – supporting Hospital Out of Hours
Katie works in the Hospital Out of Hours team at the Royal Derby Hospital and is running to support her colleagues who provide urgent, lifesaving care throughout the night. Donations will help fund equipment and resources, ensuring patients continue to receive rapid, high‑quality care during the hours it’s needed most. Support Katie here.
Kieran Matthews – supporting Dementia Wards
Kieran is running in honour of both his grandmothers, who received care during their final years living with Alzheimer’s Disease. Kieran is fundraising to support dementia wards across the trust, helping to provide vital diagnostic support, treatments, meaningful activities and comforting items like fiddle mitts that make a real difference to patients. Support Kieran here.
Matt & Jeanette Carter – supporting the Nightingale Macmillan Unit & the Royal Derby Hospital’s Dolphin Ward
Husband-and-wife duo, Matt and Jeanette, are taking on the marathon together, running on ballot and Good For Age places respectively. They’ve chosen to support two hospital departments that hold deep personal meaning for their family.
Matt’s mum spent her final weeks on the Nightingale Macmillan Unit, where staff helped create precious memories during the height of COVID. Their son, Oscar, was cared for on Dolphin Ward at just three weeks old with suspected meningitis.
Running the London Marathon has been a long-held dream for Matt, and he’s proud to use his ballot place to support our charity and run in memory of his mum.
Support Matt & Jeanette here.
Michelle Magrath – supporting the Neurology Outpatients Therapy Service
With nearly 40 years working as a Neuro Physiotherapist, Michelle is running to give back to the department that has supported her throughout her career. After overcoming personal health challenges two years ago, the London Marathon represents both a personal milestone and an opportunity to fund equipment that helps patients with stroke, spinal injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease and other neurological conditions. Support Michelle here.
Tom Harley – supporting the Royal Derby’s Puffin Ward Play Team
Tom has chosen to use his ballot place as a thank you for the care his young son, Frankie, received after becoming seriously unwell with septic arthritis. Frankie needed multiple surgeries, weeks of IV medication and daily hospital visits.
During his stay on Puffin Ward, the children’s play area became his saving grace, offering comfort and a much‑needed distraction.
Tom is running to support the Play Team, helping them continue their vital work in creating positive, comforting experiences for children in hospital. Support Tom here.
Zoe Brady – supporting the Children’s Diabetes Services
Zoe is running in memory of her parents, who both sadly passed away from cancer. As a Children’s Diabetes Nurse, Zoe sees firsthand how our charity supports young people and their families through residential trips, peer days and equipment that makes daily life easier. Zoe is proud to give back to the service she works in, while completing the marathon in her parents’ memory. Support Zoe here.
We’d like to wish all of our London Marathon runners the very best of luck.
If you have secured a ballot place for the London Marathon and wish to run on behalf of our charity, we’d be delighted to have you on Team DBHC. Please contact uhdb.charityfundraising@nhs.net for more information.
If you’d like to run the London Marathon for our charity, please keep an eye on our social media channels as we’ll announce when applications for 2027 are open.
To support our charity in other ways, please visit our Get Involved page to find out how you can help your local hospitals.
