Going the Distance for My Sisters’ House!
Emily and Brooke at LLHM 2026
Back in 2014, London Landmarks Half Marathon was created by Tommy’s with charity at its heart. Since then, it has raised an incredible amount of money to support both Tommy’s and many other vital causes.
Recently, two of our amazing supporters laced up their trainers and took on the challenge - a scenic 13.1 mile race through the heart of the capital on 12 April. The route wound through central London, passing iconic sights from Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, making it one of the most inspiring runs in the UK.
One of our runners, Emily, shared:
“ I took on the challenge of running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for a worthy cause. My Sisters' House Women's Centre supports women in Arun and Chichester district facing multiple challenges, including domestic abuse, mental health, barriers to employment, poverty, confidence, and more. It is a community-based organisation that aims to empower women and provides support, resources, and services specifically tailored to the needs of women.”
We’re incredibly proud to have had Emily and Brooke representing us in this fantastic event. To share more about their journeys, we spoke to both runners about what inspired them to take part, how they prepared for race day, and what the experience meant to them. Here’s what they had to say:
What motivated you to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon, and what made My Sisters’ House Women’s Centre a cause close to your heart?
Emily: Since I started running, I have always wanted to challenge myself with time as well as distance. When the opportunity came to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon, I could not turn it down as I have always aspired to run a race in London. As my sister Sofia is on the fundraising team at My Sisters’ House, I have learnt more about the importance and need of the services that My Sisters’ House provides to local women. Therefore, it was nice to be able to support her as well as the many women that they serve.
Brooke: Having volunteered for My Sisters’ House for a while now, I had seen first hand the incredible, life changing work that gets carried out. My passion for the work and what My Sisters’ House aims to achieve inspired me to take part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon, wanting to raise as much money, awareness and support as possible!
How did you prepare for the event, both physically and mentally, and what did crossing the finish line mean to you?
Brooke: The atmosphere on race day was incredible! The streets of London were filled with happy people, supporting and motivating all the runners. It was so magical to see so many people in one place, supporting all the runners and the amazing causes they were running for. Spectators would see my name on my running bib and cheer me on! This coming together of strangers, supporting strangers was heartwarming and something that will really stick with me!
Emily: I prepared for the event through a 12 week running programme, running 3 times a week using the app 'Runna'. When I found my longer distances challenging, I had the support of my dad who ran with me on these. Crossing the finish line was such a relief, the fact that I had achieved what I set out to do felt amazing! It was also lovely to know that this achievement went further than the finish line knowing I had raised money for a worthy charity.
What would you say to others who are thinking about taking part in a fundraising challenge for charity?
Emily: I would encourage others to take part in fundraising events such as running - it is a great way to raise awareness and the support from My Sisters’ House was spectacular. Running for charity is a great way to secure a place in ballotted races and a very rewarding challenge to set yourself. Knowing that the funds we’ve raised helps to keep My Sisters’ House free and accessible for the women who need them is always a brilliant motivator.
Brooke: When fundraising, I kept consistent! I was continuously uploading to my social media platforms. These posts consisted of : explaining the incredible work done at My Sisters’ House, images of me training, and updates of my progress. I kept the posts consistent, and kept talking about My Sisters’ House and the run, whenever I could. Being a part of the My Sisters’ House team, and seeing the positive impacts of the work carried out kept me motivated throughout! I wanted to support the organisation I truly believe in, as much as possible! I also wanted to increase peoples awareness towards My Sisters’ House, so more women in need can seek any support they may need!
There are so many ways you can get involved and make a difference. Whether it’s taking on a running challenge, hosting a cake sale, organising a community event, setting up a sponsored walk, or even a personal challenge like a cycle or swim, every effort counts.
If you’re thinking about fundraising for us, our fundraising team would love to hear from you. They’re here to guide you every step of the way—helping you turn your ideas into impactful action and ensuring you feel supported throughout your journey.