Second Year Student, Darshan, shares about his upcoming entry to the London Marathon and his reasons for running it.
When I was nine years old, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Overnight, my life became hospitals, treatment, and uncertainty. Everything I knew, school, friends, routine, was replaced by a fight simply to stay alive. Those years tested me in every way imaginable, but they also taught me what resilience really means.
After I recovered, Make-A-Wish UK reached out and offered me something extraordinary, the chance to have a wish. I asked for something that would last: a home gym. I wanted to rebuild my strength, to feel capable again after years when my body had been through so much. That wish changed everything. It gave me purpose, discipline, and a space where recovery could truly begin.
Now, nine years later, I’m taking on the 2026 London Marathon in support of Make-A-Wish. My goal is to raise £25,000, enough to fund around ten wishes for children living with life-threatening illnesses. Each wish represents more than a moment of joy, it’s a spark of hope, a reminder that life can still hold light even in the darkest circumstances.
My journey with Make-A-Wish didn’t end with my wish, it inspired me to give back. I now serve as a member of STARboard, the charity’s youth advisory board, helping to shape its work and ensure that young people’s voices are heard at every level. Being part of STARboard has shown me just how much impact a single wish can have, not only on the child, but on their family and entire community.
Balancing A level studies with marathon training has been a challenge, but every step reminds me why I’m doing this. I’m running for the children who are still in hospital beds, for the families holding onto hope, and for the organisation that helped me believe in a future again.
If you’d like to support my fundraising journey, please visit:
https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/darshan-mcgregor
For me, this marathon isn’t just about distance, it’s about giving back to the charity that helped me rebuild my life, one step at a time.
Darshan, student
