7 July 2026
Meet Jess
Jess has worked at Noah’s Ark for nearly eight years and is our Business Development & Data Manager. Jess ran the London Marathon for Noah’s Ark in memory of her friend Ani’s son, Arthur.
Ani, who also works at Noah’s Ark as our Home Support Volunteer Team Manager, had baby Arthur on the 12th June 2020. Arthur presented as a healthy baby, but after a few hours he had very serious seizures and after investigation Arthur was diagnosed with Alexander Disease, and he was given up to two years to live. Sadly, Arthur had the rarest, and most aggressive form of the condition which meant he meant he became poorly very quickly and died when he was just three months old.
From Non-Runner to Marathon Finisher
We spoke to Jess about her experience of her first London Marathon. She says: “It was the most incredible experience. Everyone is supporting you and the atmosphere is amazing, the other runners, the crowds, the noise - it’s indescribable. My goal time was 5.15 and I did it in 5.25.”
Jess wasn’t a runner when she first signed up, but things changed over the course of her training. She says: “I wasn’t a runner before and struggled a bit at the start of my training partly because of the solitude as I like to do things with people. I go to gym classes and play football, but I've never ran before and it’s so different. I love the freedom and the space. I’ve got a busy life, two children, a husband, a house to run and working at Noah’s Ark, which can be emotional, and you don’t realise that you need time on your own to process all that.”
A Community of Support
Jess’ family, friends and the Noah’s Ark’s cheer squad all turned out to support her, but she especially appreciated the support from our Supporter Engagement Officer, Tony. Jess says: “He has created such a fabulous community. We had a WhatsApp group and the support from that was amazing, just knowing that you're all in it together, you're all going through the same thing and that you're not on your own. I injured my knee in February and Tony put me in touch with a local physiotherapist that he’d partnered with called Bodylogics and they really took care of me to make sure that my knee stayed settled and I was able to get to the start line. I know I wouldn’t get that individual support from a bigger charity, and he even sent me a personal video message of encouragement the day before the race.”
Running for Arthur
When the race got tough Jess just remembered why she was running in the first place – baby Arthur. Jess says: “I've known Ani since I came to Noah's Ark and she’s just incredible. I remember when Arthur was born and everything Ani and her family went through. I turned 40 last year and I’d always wanted to run the London Marathon and I just thought, I’m going to do it and I'm going to do it for Arthur. It was an honour to do it in memory of Arthur to keep his memory alive.”
Looking Ahead
Jess has already entered the ballot for next year’s London Marathon. Jess explains: “I'm a London girl and I’ve never felt so proud of my city. It was London at its finest.”
