Leah Mainwaring, a master’s student studying International Development, completed the 13-mile race in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, a charity providing free ‘home away from home’ accommodation and support for families with children in hospital.
Leah, 22, who grew up in Edington near Trowbridge in Wiltshire, said: “In November 2016, at the age of 13, I’d recently undergone surgery to investigate a suspected kidney problem, when I became ill at school. My condition deteriorated, so my worried dad took me to the GP, and I was referred to Salisbury District Hospital, from where I was blue-lighted to Southampton Children’s Hospital for an emergency operation.”
Doctors discovered Leah had appendicitis, with her appendix in grave danger of bursting. The combination of this medical emergency and her underlying kidney problem had caused kidney failure. She was later diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, a chronic disease where IgA, an antibody normally found in the body, accumulates in the glomeruli, causing inflammation and damage.
Leah said: “I was admitted to intensive care for a week, and the following week I was transferred to a ward, where I received dialysis. My parents, stepparents and younger brother came to visit every day. At first, Mum would stay overnight on a type of camp bed in the hospital, but after a couple of days, they were relieved to be given a room at Ronald McDonald House Southampton.”
Leah explained that the Southampton House saved her family from travelling up to two hours each way, between home and hospital, supporting them during an extremely challenging time: “The House allowed my family to stay together, and close to me, reducing the stress they were going through.”
Nine years after her hospital ordeal, Leah was keen to give back to the Charity that enabled her to have her loved ones at her bedside throughout.
Leah went on to say: “Signing up to do a Half Marathon was a big deal for me, as I’m not an experienced runner and had never done anything like this before!
“The event itself was hugely challenging, especially in the heat. Throughout the tough points of the run, I kept thinking about children in the hospital and how this charity allows their family to be with them, whilst also giving parents and siblings a break from the ward to properly rest.
“Those thoughts spurred me on, as well as the support of the crowd and seeing my family and friends among them, cheering me on.”
Leah was proud to complete the race in three hours, 20 minutes, and exceed her fundraising target of £300 by more than £200.
To donate via Leah’s fundraising page, please visit: www.ajbellgreatbristolrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/leah-mainwaring