The London Marathon is one of the most iconic sporting events in the world, and APP are so excited to have our biggest ever team taking part in 2026!
Our 2026 London Marathon Team come from right across the UK, representing all parts of the APP community and we're delighted to introduce them all to you here!
To support any of our amazing runners, simply click on their name below and it will take you directly to their fundraising page. Thank you!
Sophie was lucky enough to get a much coveted ballot space in this year's marathon and we're delighted she chose to run for APP!
Sophie works as a perinatal mental health nurse at Florence House MBU in Dorset so has seen first hand the devastating impact postpartum psychosis can have. She says: 'I’ve seen how life-changing it can be when women and families get the right support at the right time and that’s why I’m fundraising for APP, the only UK charity dedicated to supporting women and families affected by PP. They provide peer support, campaign for greater awareness, and fight for better services so no one has to face this terrifying illness alone.
This cause is incredibly close to my heart. So even when I’m dragging myself through long training runs, battling self-doubt, and questioning every life decision by mile 20, I’ll be doing it with love, purpose, and deep respect for the strength of the women and families I’ve worked with.'
This will be Sophie's first ever marathon and we can't wait to cheer her on.
Kayleigh wanted to take on the London Marathon for APP after experiencing postpartum psychosis after the birth of her son in 2023. She has shared her story to help others
She says: 'I'm fundraising for APP by running the London Marathon in the hope of raising awareness for this incredible charity, and to share my story to bring hope to those mothers and families currently going through something similar.
I am now back to myself again, living a full and happy family life, alongside working full time as a high school teacher. I remember being frightened that I would never be able to do any of this again when I was unwell but now I am living proof that you can recover.'
Kayleigh completed two marathons before having her son, but the London Marathon will be her first since becoming a mum. We're so proud to have Kayleigh representing APP.
Amy is running in memory of one of her best friends, Cara, who she tragically lost in 2024 due to a relapse in her mental health related to pre and postpartum psychosis.
Amy has had so much support from her and Cara's friends and family through the hard months of training and says she wanted to 'raise some money, and awareness on the amazing work APP does for mothers and families going through challenging times pre and post birth'.
Amy has completed the London Marathon once before in 2019, and we are honoured that she has chosen to take on this epic challenge for a second time, this time for APP in memory of Cara.
We're delighted to have Tim taking part in the London Marathon for APP after he successfully completed the Great North Run for us in 2024.
Tim says: I'm supporting APP because they have been campaigning for more Mother and Baby Units (MBU) for over 10 years.
My family have first hand experience of not being able to access a local MBU. In the summer of 2015 when our baby daughter was around 10 weeks old, my wife Jan needed mental health support as she was suffering from postpartum psychosis. There was no bed available at the nearest MBU in Leeds, so Jan and the baby were taken by ambulance to Manchester where Jan was voluntarily admitted to the Andersen Ward MBU. It was tough to separate our family - we had a six year old boy at home in York without his Mum and new baby sister.
Now, ten years on and with a healthy family, we would like to give something back to enable help to be made available for other families in a similar situation.'
This will be Tim's first London Marathon and we'll be cheering him on alongside his family.
Ian is another of our lucky ballot place entrants this year! It's taken him a long time to get here so we're even more delighted that he chose APP to support.
Ian says: 'After 11 failed attempts to get into London via the ballot, this year the odds were in my favour (I think). I haven't been a regular runner for a few years but this is a bucket list item so I'm back out denting pavements.
When it came to a charity to fundraise for I was considering a few of the big options and then a friend suggested one that helped them when they were going through a difficult time and I couldn't think of a better way to pay back people who helped someone you care about. So APP are my choice and I'll be proudly wearing purple on the day.'
We couldn't be more proud to have you wearing purple for APP Ian! Thank you for choosing APP.
The London Marathon alone is not enough for Rachel and James... they've decided to follow it up in June with an epic 85 mile run/walk from The Mount MBU in Leeds to Ribblemere MBU in Chorley along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
They're taking on these two epic challenges together because they are passionate about the difference APP has made to their lives, as well as to so many other families. Rachel is an APP Peer Supporter herself, working at Ribblemere MBU.
'Getting support from APP and being able to give back too is so important to me and to James, as he also benefited from APP’s partner peer support.
Training for these events will be a huge physical and mental challenge. Each step we take will be driven by the strength we’ve witnessed in the women and families I support and who we have both met through APP - and in ourselves. Taking part in these challenges for APP is more than just running; it’s a celebration of recovery, a way to raise vital funds, and a promise that no one should have to face Postpartum Psychosis alone. Above all, it’s a chance to make our children proud. 💜'
We're in awe of what you're taking on for APP - what a huge challenge. Thank you so much.
Rory is coming all the way from Northern Ireland to take part in the London Marathon for APP.
'In April 2023, when our son Oscar was born, our family faced one of the hardest experiences of our lives. Megan became seriously ill before and after giving birth, suffering a severe mental health crisis known as postpartum psychosis.
During those difficult weeks, Megan and Oscar were cared for in a Mother & Baby Unit (MBU) in East London—a lifeline that helped Megan make a full recovery. I found hope reading recovery stories on APP's website, and they have connected Megan with other mums who had been through the same.
I felt lucky to have access to an MBU but it really is a postcode lottery. In Northern Ireland, there are still no MBUs at all. Families here deserve better, and APP is campaigning to open the first. We’ve now moved back to Northern Ireland, where the nearest MBU is 188 miles away—seven marathons across the Irish Sea.'
Rory and his family have generously shared their story and helped to raise so much awareness. You can read more about their experience here.
Thank you Rory, we can't wait to see you in London!
Sarah is running the London Marathon for APP after her own personal experience of PP after the birth of her son just a couple of years ago.
Sarah says: 'I was incredibly lucky to receive urgent care in the Mother and Baby Unit at St John’s, where Murray could stay with me and Robyn could visit every day. After we came home, recovery was still tough, but APP were there with understanding, compassion and vital support, alongside the amazing staff at the MBU. Because of support like this, families going through postpartum psychosis don’t have to face it alone.
Running the marathon now feels like a small way to give back and help raise awareness so other families can get the same support when they need it most.'
Sarah We are so proud of you Sarah for taking on this challenge for APP!
Mother and daughter duo Kate and Zoë are flying all the way from Canada to take part in the London Marathon for APP.
They've been training hard through the snowy Canadian winter months and are ready to take on this challenge.
They wanted to run for APP for their life long family friend (and APP trustee) Anna, who had postpartum psychosis after the birth of her baby.
Kate and Zoë say: Seeing the strength and courage Anna has shown - and the amazing work she now does with APP - has inspired us to take on this challenge. We want to run for her, and for all the women and families who have been affected.
Anna says: 'Kate was a great support to me when I was ill after having Elsa back in 2005. Zoë and Elsa have grown up together and we're so touched that they are doing this for APP.'
For Kate, this will be marathon number 6, and for Zoë, her very first marathon! Having been born in London, Zoe's excited to run through the city where she's from; and Anna and Elsa will of course be cheering for them on the side lines. It will be very special to have a mum and daughter representing APP this year.
Lily only started running in February 2025, so taking on the London Marathon will be a massive challenge, but one she is more than ready for, and we are very proud to have her run for APP.
Lily says: 'I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but yes I am running the 2026 London Marathon! The only thing getting me through this is doing it for this special charity.'
Lily had PP after the birth of her baby five years ago, in the midst of Covid lockdowns - a terrifying experience for her and her family. Luckily she was able to receive the treatment she needed in an MBU, but she knows not everyone in the UK is able to access the essential care and treatment an MBU can provide - and this is the reason she wanted to run in London for APP.
Rob is running for APP after his wife was diagnosed with PP after the birth of their baby in 2023.
Rob says: 'It was a horrible and scary thing to go through but with medication and other support, including from APP, Briony's condition is now stable.
APP's peer support services have been particularly helpful for Briony and me. The charity also facilitates research, raises awareness and campaigns for improved services.'
We are particularly grateful to Rob for accepting his place in TeamAPP this year - he only came aboard in January after another runner was injured - so it's an even more epic achievement that he's been able to take on the training and fundraising at short notice and we are excited to give him all our support on the big day.
John is another last minute addition to our team - again replacing an injured runner. We're so grateful he was able to join us, and that he was already marathon ready!
John's wife Rachel recently qualified as a midwife and as the final dissertation for her degree, she chose to write about the challenges facing families with PP.
John says: 'With the level of investigation required to create this academic work, Rachel found that PP was an area of postpartum care that was terribly overlooked. Having talked to Rachel extensively about PP, I am proud to step in and offer my full support for the amazing charity that is APP.'
We are so glad you were able to join our team John, it's wonderful to have you and your family as part of our community.
If you're in London this weekend, please do head down to the marathon route and look out for our runners! Or if you're watching the coverage on the television, keep an eye out and see if you can spot them in their purple tops.
A massive thank you to everyone who has supported our London Marathon team - the funds raised through just this one event could help us run our peer support service for a quarter of a year!
Feeling inspired? We have guaranteed places in next year's London Marathon too! More details on how you could apply to be part of our 2027 team coming on Monday 28th April.
Rachel may be a familiar face to some of our network as she works as an APP Peer Support Sessional Worker at the Andersen MBU in Manchester. She experienced PP out of the blue after the birth of her twins in 2017 and spent 10 weeks herself on Andersen ward recovering.
Also representing us in Manchester will be friend of APP, Catherine.
We have places available in the iconic 
Perhaps 2026 is the year you take on an epic ultra walk challenge? APP is now registered with 
Being diagnosed with a severe mental illness like PP is frightening and shocking for the woman and those around her. With the right treatment, nearly all women make a full recovery, but the journey can be long, have ups and downs and can feel very isolating. APP peer supporters are there for everyone affected by PP, whether the experience was recent or many years ago. By donating today, you can help us be there for everyone who needs us, for as long as they need us.
Siblings Gemma and James are no strangers to the Great North Run, having taken part in 2016. Now they're back, with the aim of beating their younger selves (and maybe even each other!)
Debbie and Jo are experienced runners who have taken part in numerous events before, but this will be their first experience of the Great North Run.
Fiona is taking on her first ever Great North Run, inspired to take part and raise funds for APP by her good friend Laura (pictured together with Fiona on the left of the photo here).
But the standout moment was definitely being featured on the big screen in my MBU/APP football shirt, with the stadium announcer giving me a shout-out and sharing my challenge with everyone in attendance—both before the match and during halftime!
'Myself and two good friends went to see the world's oldest professional football club - Notts County - draw 1-1 with Harrogate at Meadow Lane.
Attempting the one mile swim in the UK's biggest open water swimming event will be Claire, Louise, Mary, Roban and Laura - all of whom work together in the perinatal mental health team.
