Emily-Rose is Running for Cameron

Emily-Rose Holland is running the London Marathon to raise money for the Cameron Bespolka Trust, a charity very close to her heart.

Emily-Rose writes of how she came to be running the marathon: 

"On marathon day in 2025, I was out for dinner in London. The whole city was full of excitement and achievement with runners everywhere sporting their well-deserved medals. Swept up in the atmosphere, I joked about signing up for the 2026 marathon, and after a few more drinks, I’d actually done it!

Considering there are only about 15,000 balloted places per year and more than a million applicants, I was aware there was a very slim chance of getting selected. Still, i kept my fingers crossed and thought that if by some miracle I did get in, it would be an experience of a lifetime and an amazing challenge to work towards. A few months later, the email arrived telling I had been selected, I was so thrilled, grateful but also slightly terrified as this mammoth challenge was becoming a reality. Up until this point I have never been a runner. The furthest I had ever run was 5k, so this really is going to be a huge mental and physical challenge. However, I am genuinely SO excited to take it on and see what my body can achieve with some determination and an amazing cause to inspire me through the training.

Once I knew I was running, I had the choice of whether to support a charity. That decision was obvious for me, I didn’t have to even think twice. I knew I wanted to run for The Cameron Bespolka trust - a charity set up by my dear friend, Sienna’s, family in memory of her brother Cameron."

I also want to give a special thank you to Corinne, Cameron’s mum and a founder of the trust. She has been the kindest and most inspiring mentor throughout my running journey