My name is Jo, I’m 24 years old and living in London with my friends. I’ve always been an outdoorsy person and love hiking, playing hockey and swimming in open water, which can be tricky living in central London, ha ha!

I signed up to the TCS London Marathon after wanting to set myself a challenge in 2024 whilst I’m fit and able to, alongside doing some good for an incredible charity in the process.
I’m supporting Mencap for my older brother Charlie and every other incredible, unique individual with a learning disability . For those who have met my brother, they know he’s the centre of attention in every room, the first to say hello and offer you a cup of tea, and most definitely the one dragging us all onto the dancefloor.

But amongst all that, he’s continuously defied the expectations that have been placed on him, from climbing the tallest mountains in England, to working in his local community – Charlie is so much to so many people and the impact he has on everyone around him is immeasurable.

So much of who I am is because of having Charlie in my life. But, my family and I know first-hand the impact that under-supported services, lack of awareness and inaccessibility can have on the lives of those with a learning disability. Mencap support, empower and tackle these issues head on and champion greater equality for people.

To anyone out there who might be thinking about taking on the challenge of a marathon, I’d just say “Go for it!” It’s hard work and takes a lot of preparation and training, but doing it for a charity that helps to empower and educate both those with a learning disability and the general public makes it all worthwhile.

People with a learning disability should be valued and respected as valid members of society and should be treated and supported as such! Find your reason why, and use it to motivate you through those hard training runs.

Mencap personally supported my family when my brother was younger and if I can pay back a bit of that kindness and help them continue to do the incredible work they do - and champion the incredible people in our lives with learning disability -  then I have to. Which is why I'm running the 2024 TCS London Marathon for Team Mencap!