Team TA London Marathon Super Heroes 2022!

Posted on 30 September 2022 by Pippa McClounan

Meet the team!

We are in awe of these amazing individuals who will be challenging themselves to an eye watering 26.2 mile run either through London or virtually on 2 October to raise funds for TA.

 

The London Marathon is an iconic event, and we are thrilled to have such a strong team of runners this year, who will be waving the flag for TA and raising thousands of pounds for the TS community.

 

So let's meet the TA Super Stars!

 

Alex Horsley

I will be running the London marathon on my 18th birthday for TA because my brother Toby, has Tourette Syndrome.

Toby has had TS for a few years now so I have had lots of first hand experience with it and can see how hard it can be for him.

I would like to raise lots of money for TA to give back to them for all the support they have given Toby over the years. I would also like to raise money so that TA can continue to help others, like my brother, so they can receive the same support and help that he did.

You can donate to Alex's fundraising page here

 

Salvatore Melidoni

My name is Salvatore Melidoni and I have chosen to run for Tourettes Action because they gave us so much help and advice many years ago when our son was diagnosed with TS. He was a toddler when we started to notice different tics becoming apparent, along with behavioural problems. It took a few years of hospital appointments, doctors observing him in school and us taking videos of his tics for the consultant to look at to get a diagnosis of Tourettes and ADHD (which is very common to have more than problem). He was on medication for both for over 10 years which did help him a lot. Over the years and still now has such a range of tics (some that that do make us laugh). 

People always just think of swearing when you mention Tourettes, but infact approximately 10% actually swear. Our sons tics are always vocal and motor, and can get in his way of everyday life. He is a postman which involves him walking miles everyday and he has a jumping tic at the moment but he is sooooo positive about things in life that he just gets on with his job and doesn’t let it interfere. He has had many tics that give him a lot of pain also in the past like neck stretching and neck twisting.

I would like to raise money for TA so they can continue to help others liked they helped us.

You can donate to Salvatore's fundraising page here

 

Dan Traylen

I'm Dan, from Farnham in Surrey. My marathon journey began a couple of years ago - though I didn't know it then - when my younger brother was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in his mid-twenties. It is through his experience that I have been introduced to TA and the fantastic work they do. I found myself surprised at the stigma and misrepresentation surrounding TS and wanted to show support for both my family and the wider community, and in the last couple of years my interest in fitness has really peaked.

So how to combine the two? The London marathon is an event that has inspired me and countless others to get active, be supportive and become involved in something bigger than ourselves through hard work and perseverance. I'm proud to be representing TA, my brother and anyone else who deals with TS in their lives. Bring it on!

You can donate to Dan's fundraising page here

 

Paul Davis

Paul resides in Pennsylvania, USA and has a wife and two sons, one of which has ADHD. Paul will be fulfilling his long awaited run in London since his deferral from 2020 due to Covid. A keen runner since 2013, he has completed Berlin, Boston and New York marathons for charity, and is delighted to accept a place for London with TA. His ultimate goal is to also run Tokyo and Chicago to earn the 'Marathon Majors' medal.

His motto is 'Work hard and train harder, stay humble and finish the race. It doesn't matter if you finish it in 3 hrs or 5hrs you're out there giving yourself and you earned the spot'. We look forward to welcoming Paul to the UK and supporting his 'tourist' marathon when he comes to London. 

 

Karla Hall - Ballot place

Hi, I’m Karla and I’m running the London Marathon for Tourettes Action, to raise much needed awareness of Tourette syndrome, and to raise some funds along the way. 

I have a 12 year old nephew who was diagnosed with Tourette’s and Autism whilst in junior school. His diagnosis highlighted the struggles children and parents face getting the support and understanding they so very much need.

TA are an amazing charity that offer so much of this! I have learnt so much myself just from the posts and information shared on social media. My nephew, along with his mum, dad and brother, have been lucky enough to experience TicFest, which was just what they needed when they needed it. All thanks to TA! If it wasn’t for TA, opportunities like this would not be available. 

You can donate to Karla's fundraising page here

 

Clarke Manders - Ballot place

My name is Clarke and I am running the London Marathon for Tourettes Action and my reasons for doing so are:

My wife was diagnosed with TS 23 years ago at the age 11, there was little understanding of TS from medical practioner's and NO help was offered apart from medication to manage her anxiety.

Now our daughter aged 9 has recently been diagnosed with TS, which we had to seek a Private diagnosis for as the lack of help and knowledge for TS on the NHS still hasn't changed after all this time. Our journey for diagnosis on the NHS was a nightmare, Having been passed from pillar to post to finally getting a face to face appointment through the post with a "Genral Paediatric Gastroenterologist" Which as you can imagine was a waste of time and he made us feel as though we were making it all up, that our daughter was merely an anxious child who needed physiotherapy and not a TS diagnosis.

He questioned us time and time again why do we need a diagnosis as it won't change anything, that she won't get any help after the diagnosis so it's pointless!

It was so belittling, heart breaking and we felt deflated.

Due to my wife's history and knowing the signs to look for we knew where to turn to for a TS diagnosis privately in the end. But this doesn't change the fact that there are still people out there not knowing where to turn due to the lack of knowledge by the world and medical professionals and some people go their whole life thinking they are crazy as no one understands!

We want to use this platform to help others and even if that is just one person then my goal would be achieved!

I would like to raise awareness, understanding, compassion and funds for TA in the hope that one day there will be enough research and knowledge for the whole world to know “it’s not what you think” and to have a better understanding of this complex disorder.

You can donate to Clarke's fundraising page here

 

Tom Cooke - Ballot Place

Hi there! I’m Tom, I am 22 years old and I am from Budleigh Salterton in Devon.

I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at the age of 6 and before this, was quite misunderstood and felt different to all my friends. I have always tried to take my Tourette’s in my stride, albeit hard at times and have never let it get in the way of my abilities and life choices.

I have played rugby since the age of 6, playing up to country standard from grass roots, and I genuinely believe that the qualities of TS are part and parcel of my passion for the sport - the drive, determination, precise and technical nature for my position at scrum half and flyhalf I believe, has sometimes been thanks to my diagnosis of Tourette’s at such a young age. I have also always been interested in cricket, football and many other sports, it is where I have thrived as a child and now into adulthood.

I am running the London Marathon to raise money and awareness of the condition, and showing people that it never has to step in your way.

You can donate to Tom's fundraising page here

 

Pippa McClounan - Ballot Place

Pippa is a member of the amazing team at Tourettes Action, and tries to raise funds and awareness for TA as often as she can, having run numerous half marathons and completed a sky dive in recent years. This challenge will be her second time running the London Marathon for TA, after winning the place through her running club ballot. She hopes to do Blackwater Valley Runners and Tourettes Action proud on the day.

You can donate to Pippa's fundraising page here

 

Neil Pogmore - Ballot Place

I’m 45 years old and am a proud Husband and Father to two wonderful children, Jessie and Jackson. Jessie is now nine years old and has Tourettes, she has had a tough couple of years and we as a family are doing our best to help and support her through the hard times.

Running the London marathon for TA is a way of me showing support for Jessie and everyone dealing with Tourettes and associated issues. I will wear the TA vest with pride.

You can donate to Neil's fundraising page here

 

 

VIRTUAL LONDON MARATHON RUNNERS

 

Rebecca Knock

Just before my daughter’s 14th birthday she started to make this random “meow” noise that literally appeared overnight.  This developed into neck, head and arms jerks, arms locking in position, noises that range from ‘Ooooo’ to wolf howls and everything in between.  This in turn lead to her being home schooled due to bullying and severe anxiety.  It also led to her not being able to participate in her various sporting activities and evening clubs, along with constant pain, depression, fatigue, and inability to get to or stay asleep.  Her mental and physical health took a massive nosedive and in a very short amount of time our happy, outgoing, adventurous girl had almost disappeared.  She is now receiving therapy and support which is enabling her to find ‘herself’ and how to live alongside her Tics. Tourettes Action are doing their upmost to raise the profile and understanding of Tourettes, but like all charities they need more funding especially as they receive no government funding.  This is why I have decided to take part in the Virtual London Marathon to help raise much needed funds for them. 

You can donate to Rebecca's fundraising page here

 

Khovan Hussein

My name is Khovan, I am 18 years old and enjoy Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and raising money for charity. I am autistic, have ADHD and Tourette Syndrome.

I have always wanted to run a marathon. I want to help raise awareness for Tourette syndrome so that it helps others. I want to help people with Tourette’s who might not be comfortable about having tics in public because they’re worried what people will say or worried about offending people. I hope to raise money so that people like me who have Tourette’s can have more support and also to raise awareness of Tourette’s syndrome so no one feels embarrassed to tic

You can donate to Khovan's fundraising page here

 

Melissa Webster

Melissa works in higher education and is an avid champion of students with additional needs.

"I'm inspired by the support and care Tourettes Action gives to individuals and their families, there are no ends to their passion to make a difference. Any money I can raise whilst running the London Virtual Marathon would help to continue this support and care. Thank you." 

You can donate to Melissa's fundraising page here

 

Ade Reynolds

I'm taking on the virtual London marathon for Tourette's Action. I've lived with Tourette's most my life and seen it worsen since the pandemic. Although I've run marathons in the past, this will be a bigger challenge than ever. Supporting Tourette's Action in its vital work will make sure I keep running, crawling and twitching my way around London!

You can donate to Ade's fundraising page here

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