Hi, I’m Atikur – and in 2026, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon for a cause that’s incredibly close to my heart: Make-A-Wish® UK ✨

Make-A-Wish UK is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish International, sharing the same mission and values of granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. My daughter Arya, who lives with cerebral palsy, is one of those incredible Wish Kids. Arya’s wish was granted by the foundation back in 2017. We were gifted an unforgettable trip to Disneyland, where Arya was treated to a magical princess makeover and a special lunch with a real Disney princess. It was the happiest time of her life—a truly magical experience and a much-needed escape from her daily challenges and ongoing therapy.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity and compassion of Make-A-Wish. We are forever grateful.

Arya has come a long way. These days, she races alongside me on her adaptive trike, and together we’ve formed a team called I’mPossible. When she was born, doctors said she likely wouldn’t be able to do anything physical due to extensive brain damage. But Arya has defied every expectation. She has grown in her own remarkable way and has participated in many road races, including three half-marathons and several shorter runs. Every step she takes pushes past the limits once placed on her.

Inspired by her, I pushed myself and set my own challenge: to run full marathons. I joined Team #WishHero to support the incredible mission of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I know firsthand how powerful it is to give a child and their family a moment of joy—something magical to hold onto amid a world of therapy visits and medical routines. It’s a cause that means everything to me.

Right now, over 134,000 children in the UK are eligible for a wish because they live with the grueling daily reality of critical illness. These children deserve dreams that go beyond their diagnoses. Critical illness may steal joy, but Make-A-Wish UK is part of a global movement that brings it back. Through life-changing wishes, they turn tears into cheers and give families the gift of hope and cherished time together.

I don’t just want to run another marathon—I want to give every mile meaning, a tribute to the children still waiting for their wish to come true. Each step is for them, and every donation brings help closer to a family—a spark of hope who needs it most.

Thank you for standing with me—and, more importantly, for supporting the life-changing work of Make-A-Wish® UK ✨I have no doubt Arya will be proud to see her dad running the London Marathon as a #WishHero.