“It was a wonderful experience for her, and for us as parents, and has also given us a caring community to be part of.” 

This Spring, Alex will be taking on the TCS London Marathon for Access Sport, inspired by his daughter's journey to discovering frame running.

For Alex, running the London Marathon is far more than just a physical challenge. It is an opportunity to shine a light on the importance of inclusive community sport, and the transformative impact it can have on a family.

Like many parents of disabled children, Alex has struggled to find accessible, inclusive sporting opportunities for his daughter. Activities that many families may find straightforward to access, can often come with significant barriers for disabled children, often making participation out of reach.

That changed for Alex when he discovered a local Frame Running Club in Walthamstow, delivered by Firefly London.

Frame running is an adaptive sport that enables disabled children and young people to move freely using a supportive three-wheeled running frame. Designed for individuals with limited mobility, it offers the freedom to run independently while building strength, confidence and joy through movement. For families like Alex’s, the sport is far more than a recreational activity, but a door to inclusion and belonging.

With initial support from our Changing Places programme, Firefly London has grown into a thriving community hub for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. It was created to provide a space where children feel safe, understood and free to grow at their own pace. Delivered every Sunday, their Frame Running Club provides free, inclusive sessions where disabled children can participate in a supportive, uplifting environment.

Frame running opened a completely new world for Alex’s daughter, giving her something she had never experienced before - the ability to move independently. Surrounded by trained, supportive coaches, she was able to run freely and participate on her own terms.

For Alex, watching his daughter’s confidence grow and seeing her experience the joy of independent movement was transformative.

It is this personal journey, and a desire for more families to access similar opportunities, that fuels his motivation as he prepares to take on the London Marathon this April. Every mile represents a step towards a future where disabled young people have the same access as their non-disabled peers to the life-changing benefits of community sport.

By donating to Alex’s fundraising page today, you will help more families access the connection, confidence and joy found within community sport.

Your support will enable more clubs, more sessions and more environments where disabled young people can thrive, and where parents, like Alex, can find pride, belonging and connection.

Donate now >