We’ve interviewed a group of local runners fundraising for brain injury support as they take on the Reading Half Marathon.
They share why they decided to run, how they’ve prepared over the winter months and what this fundraiser means to them and to others navigating life after brain injury.
Support their fundraising!
Why fundraising at the Reading Half Marathon
-
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
I’m Jenny Sawyer running the Reading Half Marathon in aid of Headway Thames Valley. I live local to Reading and am married with 2 kids.
Sally finnie, friend to Jenny.
Elspeth Liddell; friend, wife, Mum, doctor. A woman in her 40s trying to keep fit and wanting to celebrate the fact she is still able to join in with events like this.
My name is Kim and I am one of the Trustees at Headway Thames Valley and so was keen to get involved. I am also a Personal Injury solicitor obtaining compensation for those that have sustained traumatic brain injuries as a result of accidents. In both of these roles, I have seen the devastating effect that a brain injury has not only on the individual but their families and friends too. For those that do not have the benefit of a personal injury claim, Headway Thames Valley is a lifeline, providing support that helps improve quality of life and independence and raising funds by taking part in Reading Half Marathon helps them to do that.
My name is Eve and I am a paralegal in the personal injury team at Boyes Turner. I joined the team in August 2025, so I’m still new to personal injury work. From the moment I started, I found myself moved by the bravery of our clients living with the effects of brain injuries and by the incredible strength their loved ones show every day. Hearing about the life‑changing support Headway Thames Valley provides and seeing how much that support means to the people we work with, really struck a chord with me. It quickly became important to me, not just as a colleague, but as a person to support their mission alongside my team.
-
What inspired you to get involved with our fundraising efforts?
Jenny: I was knocked off my bike and suffered traumatic brain injury a year ago and was supported a lot by Headway Thames Valley as I worked out how to approach my rehab. There is only a little information about brain injuries out there, so it was great to have the support of Headway Thames Valley to talk through and explain what was happening. This was vitally important when my brain couldn’t process what was happening to me as it was also trying to repair itself.
Sally: As a local neuropsychologist with Berkshire NHS Foundation I am very aware of the work Headway Thames Valley does to support local people who have experienced brain injury and was only too happy to support this great cause.
Elspeth: Jenny is a friend, when I heard about her accident I was devastated. Her recovery has been extraordinary and she is an inspiration to us all. The support she has received from Headway Thames Valley has been excellent, I also have patients who have accessed Headway Thames Valley, so I was keen to give something back.
How to prepare for fundraising at the Reading Half Marathon
-
How did you plan or prepare for your fundraising activity?
Jenny: My physio (Hannah) decided it would be a good idea to have a focus and so we decided to run the Reading Half Marathon together. A few friends were up for it too – those that I have run with previously and those with whom I stand next to a football pitch talking about running!
Sally: Jenny and I have extended the weekend by having a chatty Monday morning run for the last 6 months or so.
Elspeth: Fitting in training runs around the rest of the chaos of life! I am grateful to my energetic cocker spaniel for being my number one training partner.
Jenny, Helen, Elspeth, Sally and Hannah
Kim: I last ran the Reading Half Marathon 7 years ago and had got out of the habit of running regularly so it felt like I was starting from scratch. I followed the BUPA beginner half marathon programme, doing short, regular runs during the week followed by a progressively longer run each weekend. The most rewarding part is realising what you can achieve if you stick at something, knowing at the same time that you are supporting this fantastic charity. The awful English weather aside, the biggest challenge is finding the time to fit all the runs in, particularly the ever longer weekend runs – my social life has taken a battering! But it’s worth it, particularly with race day in sight!
Eve: Before I began training for the half marathon in November, I hadn’t run more than 5k in over two years, so I had to start completely from scratch. I put together a realistic training programme and have tried my best to stick to it. I’m now running distances I never imagined I’d be able to run, and that progress is down to consistency and the encouragement I’ve received from my colleagues at Boyes Turner. I’ve faced a few challenges along the way (likely because I had very little running experience to begin with) including shin splints and completing countless runs in torrential rain. In those tough moments, I reminded myself why I started this journey in the first place, and that every bit of training, no matter how gruelling, was contributing to a brilliant cause.
-
What part of the process did you find most rewarding or meaningful?
Jenny: The support of friends and family has been really humbling through my recovery. I’m thankful that I know I have the support of my friends to help me get round the course and help others who are going through what I have been through.
Sally: It’s been so motivating for me to run each week with Jenny, hear updates on her remarkable recovery milestones and further our friendship.
Elspeth: It is always a little overwhelming to see the generosity of family, friends and colleagues. We are grateful for every single donation.
-
Did you face any unexpected challenges while fundraising, and how did you overcome them?
Jenny: Getting the website to work and making sure we had photos on there!
Sally: It’s been a very wet winter and many of the runs have been soggy and puddle ridden.
-
Can you share a moment during your fundraising journey that made you feel proud or encouraged?
Jenny: The comments from people when they sponsor.
Elspeth: Our first group training run was so fun. We were just delighted to realise that we all go about the same pace, and that between us, it is unlikely that we’ll run out of things to talk about along the way.
Kim: Peer support – there are twelve of us from Boyes Turner running the Reading Half (some for different charities) and six of those are in my team. I feel proud that as a firm we have a strong sense of community responsibility that spurs us on to do these things and encouraged by the regular whatsapp messages in my team each time we go out for a run!
Eve: Once I was able to run 10k and beyond, I felt incredibly proud. It was a distance I had never run before, and when I first started training, with only four months to prepare, I genuinely wasn’t sure it would be possible.
The impact of fundraising for brain injury support
-
Has supporting this cause changed your perspective in any way?
Jenny: I hadn’t heard of the charity until I had the accident and a friend pointed us to the support we as a family could get from Headway Thames Valley.
Helen, Hannah, Sally, Elspeth and Jenny
Kim: It really does bring home the important work that charities like Headway Thames Valley do in the community and how we need to support them if we want them to continue
Eve: Supporting Headway Thames Valley has been one of the main reasons I’ve persevered throughout this journey. With every milestone I reach, I’m reminded of how fortunate I am not only to be able to take part in a half marathon, but also to do so in support of such an important cause.
-
What advice would you give to someone thinking about fundraising?
Jenny: Have a story to encourage people to support the fundraising.
Elspeth: Just do it. We are all ordinary women, wanting to celebrate our friend and her wonderful recovery and to show our gratitude that we are able to run together for this great cause.
Kim: We all have different charities close to our hearts – if Headway Thames Valley is one of yours – Do it. It is much easier to push yourself out of your comfort zone by eg running a half marathon if you are doing so for a cause that really means something to you.
Eve: Don’t underestimate what you can achieve. When you commit to fundraising for Headway Thames Valley, you become part of a community that cares deeply about supporting people affected by brain injuries. Focus on consistency, celebrate the small wins, and remind yourself that every step you take, whether in training or fundraising, contributes to someone else’s recovery journey.
-
What message would you share to inspire others to get involved?
Jenny: The support from Headway Thames Valley really helps those with brain injury in the very early stages when there is a vacuum of information. This is vital to help with the recovery and acceptance of what is possible.
Sally: Headway Thames Valley are a superb charity. In this area NHS support for rehabilitation after a brain injury is limited, indeed there is no rehab commissioning in Twyford so Headway Thames Valley serves a vital role supporting the community. Recovery from brain injury is slow and steady, care, expertise, motivation and support are needed at each step for the injured and their loved ones. Headway Thames Valley have groups, resources and the knowledge to support those in need. I always recommend them to my clients and on this occasion, to my friend.
Kim: Again – Do it! You don’t have to run a half marathon – whatever you do will make a difference and help Headway Thames Valley continue to support those living with brain injury.
Eve: It is important to remember that your involvement, no matter how big or small, helps ensure that no one faces life following a brain injury alone.
Support their run
If you’re interested in fundraising, volunteering or getting involved in any way, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch and be part of it!
Stay connected!
Follow us on Instagram for more stories, tips and support, and subscribe to our newsletter to get updates straight to your inbox.