The Francis 3 Are On The Run for Team Tavs! 🏃💙
Sometimes life takes you on a journey you never expected.
When I first signed up to run the London Marathon 2026 for the Lord's Taverners, I knew I was taking on something huge. I'm not a natural runner, and the idea of running 26.2 miles was honestly a little terrifying! But after watching the incredible Team Tavs runners at the London Marathon, I had one of those moments where I thought...
"Maybe I could actually do this."
What started as a crazy idea became a mission—a chance to challenge myself and, most importantly, give back to a charity that has had a life-changing impact on our family.
Unfortunately, due to ill health, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to withdraw from the 2026 London Marathon.
It was incredibly difficult. After committing to the challenge and beginning that journey, stepping away felt like losing the opportunity to say thank you in the way I had hoped.
But sometimes a setback leads to something even more special.
I have now been given the incredible opportunity to run the London Marathon 2027—and this time, I won't be doing it alone.
My husband Ian, our son Charlie and I will all be taking on the challenge together as:
The Francis 3 Are On The Run for Team Tavs!
And we will have our youngest son, Jake, proudly supporting us every step of the way from the sidelines. He isn't quite old enough to join us on the start line yet, but he will be our biggest supporter, making this a true family challenge.
For us, this marathon isn't just about running 26.2 miles.
It's about celebrating how far we've come.
It's about showing what is possible when people are given the right support.
And it's about saying thank you to the charity that helped change the course of our family's life.
Why the Lord's Taverners?
The Lord's Taverners mean more to us than words can explain.
They didn't just change Charlie's life.
They saved it.
For years, Charlie faced challenges that no child should have to experience. Living with autism, Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and significant sensory sensitivities meant that the world could often feel overwhelming and difficult to navigate. His mental health struggles were severe, and there were times when, as his parents, we genuinely feared for his future.
Watching your child struggle while feeling unable to make things better is one of the hardest things any parent can experience.
Charlie also found physical activity challenging. Due to his sensory needs, confidence levels and Sever's Disease—which causes pain in his heels and joints during growth—sport and exercise were not always easy or enjoyable experiences for him. Building fitness, confidence and resilience physically has been a journey in itself.
There was a time when we felt like we were running out of hope.
Then, in April 2023, we discovered the Lord's Taverners Super 1s programme at Valley End Cricket Club.
That first session changed everything.
From the moment Charlie arrived, he was accepted exactly as he was. There were no expectations for him to fit in or change who he was. Instead, he found a place where he belonged.
He found friendships.
He found confidence.
He found people who believed in him.
And as parents, we found a community that understood us too. We met families, coaches and volunteers who truly understood the challenges we had been facing. For the first time in a long time, we didn't feel alone.
From that moment, Charlie began to thrive.
Through the opportunities provided by the Lord's Taverners, Charlie has developed confidence, independence and a belief in his own abilities. He has taken part in employability skills workshops, completed work experience at The Oval, and discovered a passion for coaching and supporting other young people through inclusive sport.
His journey has taken him further than we ever imagined.
Charlie became one of the 13 founding Youth Ambassadors for the Lord's Taverners—the very first Youth Ambassador cohort in the charity's history.
During his two-year tenure, Charlie represented young people's voices, helped shape the future of the programme, attended events, shared his experiences and even had the incredible opportunity to deliver a speech at the House of Lords.
As his time as Youth Ambassador came to an end, Charlie was able to give back once again by interviewing members of the new Youth Ambassador cohort, helping to welcome and inspire the next group of young people who will continue this important work.
Watching Charlie go from a young person fighting simply to get through each day to someone who now wants to inspire and support others has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives.
And that is why we are running.
The Challenge
For many people, running the London Marathon is an incredible physical challenge.
For Charlie, this is so much more than that.
This represents courage.
This represents growth.
This represents proving to himself that the things that once felt impossible can become possible.
To see Charlie standing on that start line alongside Mum and Dad will be a moment we will never forget.
Together, we are taking on 26.2 miles.
Together, we are taking on a huge fundraising challenge.
Together, we are aiming to raise an incredible £9,000 for the Lord's Taverners.
It is a mammoth target, but the impact this charity has had on our family deserves a mammoth thank you.
Why We Need Your Support
The Lord's Taverners use sport to create opportunities for young people facing disability, disadvantage and inequality. They provide a place where young people can build confidence, develop skills, make friendships and discover their own potential.
We have seen first-hand what happens when a young person is given that opportunity.
Charlie is living proof of the difference this charity makes.
Now it's our turn to help them continue their incredible work.
Over the next year, we will be training, fundraising, supporting each other and probably questioning our life choices during some of those longer training runs!
But every step will have a purpose.
Every mile will represent gratitude.
Every donation will help another young person access the opportunities that Charlie was given.
Whether you donate £1, £10 or £100, share our story, follow our journey or simply cheer us on from the sidelines, every bit of support will mean the world to us.
Thank you for helping us give back to the charity that gave Charlie hope.
Thank you for supporting our family.
Thank you for becoming part of The Francis 3 Are On The Run for Team Tavs.
Together, we can cross the finish line and reach our £9,000 fundraising goal for the Lord's Taverners. 💙🏃🏃🏃
Thank you for checking out my page. Making a donation is fast, easy and secure thanks to Give as you Live Donate. They'll take your donation and pass it onto The Lord's Taverners.
