Founding Trustee Jane runs London Marathon in memory of Ella
Founding Trustee to Run the 2025 London Marathon in Memory of Ella Dawson
In what would have been Ella Dawson’s 28th birthday year, Founding Trustee Jane Dawson is taking on the 2025 London Marathon in her daughter’s memory, raising vital funds for the Ella Dawson Foundation.
Ella died in 2021 at the age of 24 after a courageous two-year battle with a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia. During her illness, Ella became a powerful advocate for the wellbeing needs of young adults facing cancer, laying the foundations for what would become the Ella Dawson Foundation.
“Ella loved life. She was kind, very creative, and incredibly brave. From the time she was little, she always saw the beauty and hope in every single day, no matter what was going on around her. Even during her toughest moments, that never changed,” Jane reflects. “She met each challenge with courage, hope and a light that continued to shine brightly. Ella was determined to ‘live well and prove that all is not lost when you are a young person diagnosed with cancer.’”
Ella’s vision to create tailored wellbeing support for young adults going through cancer inspired the charity’s core model—addressing the psychological, physical, nutritional, and emotional impact of cancer at a time in life when everything is supposed to be beginning.
Since its launch in 2022, the Ella Dawson Foundation has supported over 1,000 young people and become a recognised referral pathway for 64 hospitals across the UK. The need for this type of support is growing rapidly, and Jane is determined to help meet that demand.
At age 60, and with only a couple of 10Ks and a half marathon completed years ago, the 2025 London Marathon will be Jane’s first full marathon. She began training in autumn, determined to give her body the best chance of reaching the finish line. Despite the setbacks of training through a harsh winter and managing inevitable aches and pains, her motivation remains unwavering.
“It’s a privilege to run in Ella’s honour and raise funds to make a difference for other young people like her. We know first-hand how vital this support is. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us reach more families and ensure that no young adult feels alone as they face cancer.”
Jane’s fundraising target is £2,800—£100 for each year since Ella’s birth—and all funds raised will go directly toward delivering the Foundation’s expanding support services.
To support Jane’s London Marathon effort, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/pag...
To find out more about the charity or to express interest in running the London Marathon for us from 2026 onwards, please visit www.elladawsonfoundation.org.uk or get in touch via hello@elladawsonfoundation.org.uk.