26 Stone to 26 Miles – Supporting Friends of Banham School

Want to join me in making a difference? I’m raising money to support Friends of Banham School, and every donation—big or small—will genuinely help make an impact. Thank you in advance for supporting a cause that means so much to me and my family.

On 22 March 2026, I’ll be taking on the Rome Marathon. Yes—26 miles! And I’m doing it to raise money for my daughter Betsy’s school (and hopefully Elsie’s school in the future too).

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My Story

I used to be a much larger guy, weighing over 26 stone at my heaviest. I still remember the moment that really hit me: not being able to go on some theme park rides with Betsy because of my size. That was painful—physically and emotionally.

Then on 28 December 2023, while walking less than 50 metres to the helicopter for my offshore job, I found myself out of breath and drenched in sweat. When I weighed in that day, the scales read 167kg. Something had to change.

During the flight out to the platform, I made a decision: this was the turning point.

So on 1 January 2024, I started the Couch to 5K program on the offshore gym treadmill and began tracking my calories. I also joined Man v Fat Football, an incredible weight-loss support programme for men.

Fast forward to June 2025, and I was honoured to be invited to play in the Man v Fat Amazing Losers Match at Brisbane Road, home of Leyton Orient—one of the top success stories from across the UK.

In just 18 months, I had lost 66kg—40% of my body weight.

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Where I Am Now

Since finishing Couch to 5k, running has become a normal part of life—I think nothing of going out for a 10k, and I’ve completed multiple half marathons. A full marathon will be a huge challenge, but I’m ready to give it everything.

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Why I’m Fundraising

Friends of Banham School does amazing work supporting pupils, staff, and the school community. Any donation you can make will be genuinely appreciated and put to great use.

If you’d like to support me as I go from 26 stone to 26 miles, please consider donating to my GoFundMe. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.

How Your Donations Will Make a Difference.

By completing an incredible 26-mile challenge, our supporter is helping to raise vital funds for Friends of Banham Primary School. As a small rural school, our resources are limited, and many of our children have fewer opportunities to access wider experiences outside of school. This means every contribution truly goes a long way and has a direct, meaningful impact on our pupils by enriching the education and experiences of all children in our school community.

Your generosity will help us provide:

School Trips

Subsidising trips ensures that every child can take part in learning beyond the classroom, regardless of family circumstances.

New Equipment

From classroom resources to hands-on learning tools, your donations help us support teachers with the materials they need to deliver inspiring lessons.

Extra-Curricular Experiences

Funding workshops, clubs, visiting speakers, and special events that give children memorable opportunities they may not otherwise experience.

Updated IT Equipment

Providing modern devices and technology helps us prepare children for an increasingly digital world, supporting both curriculum learning and digital confidence.

Renovating our EYFS Learning Garden

Improving this outdoor space will make a huge difference to our youngest learners—offering a safe, stimulating environment for exploration, play, and early development.

Equal Opportunities for Every Child

Above all, your support helps us make sure every child—no matter their background—has access to the same enriching, exciting, and confidence-building opportunities.