Sisters Joanna and Ella Tilley share why they’re taking on the London Marathon this April — honouring their late father while raising vital funds for Crossroads Care Richmond and Kingston.
On 26th April 2026, Joanna and Ella Tilley will take on the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon in tribute to their dad, Clive and in support of Crossroads Care Richmond and Kingston.
Clive sadly lost his life last year, aged just 57, to pulmonary fibrosis, a rare and fatal condition that causes irreversible scarring of the lungs. Crossroads supported the family during Clive’s final weeks, making this cause particularly close to their hearts.
‘Dad ran the London Marathon himself in 2008, finishing in an impressive 4 hours and 19 minutes,’ said Joanna. ‘But honestly, Ella and I will just be pleased to get round!
‘Running the London Marathon was only one of Dad’s many sporting achievements, and it’s one that’s always stayed with us. He inspired us to follow in his footsteps, even though for him simply getting out to parkrun on a Saturday morning was achievement enough for anyone.’
Ella added, ‘Dad encouraged us to give everything in life a go, especially when it came to getting active. He loved the sense of community that running brought, the quiet encouragement between strangers and the shared understanding of effort.
‘We know he would have been so proud of us for attempting this run. Without a doubt, he would have been the first to offer tips, training plans and encouragement. In the short time Dad spent with his Crossroads carers, they all heard how proud he was that we were keen runners.’
Even though pulmonary fibrosis worsens over time, Clive kept going for as long as he could — even cycling up Mount Ventoux in Southern France with the aid of an e-bike in July 2024. Eventually though, Clive became dependent on supplementary oxygen, wheelchairs, and a stairlift at home.
‘In Dad’s final weeks, care became increasingly demanding,’ said Joanna. ‘Caring for someone you love is physically and emotionally exhausting, and all of us, including our mum, Cathy, were so grateful for the support of the brilliant team at Crossroads. Their help made an immeasurable difference at an incredibly difficult time.’
The sisters would love your support to help Crossroads continue their work for carers in our community. To donate, click here.
