Eastbourne mum runs marathon for children’s heart charity in memory of her daughter Marnie

Mum of four Amy is running the marathon in memory of her daughter Marnie, who died in October 2016 at only six months old while waiting for a heart transplant. Marnie was born with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Noonan’s syndrome and went into heart failure when she was just two months old. As well as Marnie, Amy has three other children – Jonah, 11, Coby, 8, and Bonnie, 6.

Amy wants to support ECHO as the charity helped her so much when Marnie was waiting for a heart transplant and has continued to support the family since Marnie’s death.

“ECHO was a lifeline to me when Marnie went into heart failure. Marnie’s older brother Jonah was only 20 months old at the time and ECHO stepped in, looking after Jonah whenever we had transplant meetings or when Marnie needed her blood taken,” said Amy. “I still feel part of the ECHO family. We’re always invited to heart family events, as well as memorial events.”

ECHO provides support for children and young people with heart conditions and their families. Support includes parent support, cardiac antenatal classes, hospital equipment and bereavement support.

Amy is a keen runner and has already completed five marathons, but this is her first time running the London marathon.

“I started running after Marnie was born as I was struggling,” said Amy. “I started off running with Marnie and Jonah in a double pushchair. Since losing Marnie, running has become a survival thing for me – it’s been my time when I can think of her. Running the London Marathon has always been a dream of mine and I’m honoured to run it for ECHO.”

Amy said running the London Marathon this year is poignant as she celebrated her 40th birthday this year and it would have been Marnie’s 10th birthday in May 2026.

“I find it harder each day without my girl as I feel further and further away from her, missing those landmark moments and watching her grow into a beautiful strong willed little lady,” says Amy on her fundraising page.

She said it has been difficult to fit in training around childcare and her work as a Coroner’s Officer. “I often run early in the morning at 5 or 6am and have been leaning on my family to help look after the children,” said Amy. She is hoping to run the marathon in under 4 hours.

Samantha Johnson, Chief Executive at ECHO, said: “We are so grateful to Amy for running the London Marathon in support of ECHO. She has been a committed supporter to the charity over the last decade, regularly raising money for us. We are a small charity and every pound she raises will enable us to continue supporting children with special hearts and their families.”

To support Amy in her marathon effort, visit her online fundraising page at https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/marnies-mummy-amy