Fundraising

About

WellChild Sydney Marathon 2025

Team Ladybugs are Stephan and Chloe their next mammoth adventure is running the Sydney Marathon, on the 31st of August 2025, which is now part of the Abbots World Marathon Majors, which we are trying to complete all seven of them, we have already done London and Berlin.

We are the first disabled team from the UK running this marathon, and we are running it for WellChild, this is what they do, through a nationwide network of WellChild Nurses; home and garden transformation projects; and family information, training and support programmes, WellChild makes it possible for children and young people with complex health needs to be cared for at home instead of hospital, wherever possible.

Please help us raise £2,000.00 for this amazing charity, donations small or large will help make a difference.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/diane-couture-4

About

Supporting the LadyBugs Trust

The dynamic trio are back, having done Manchester Marathon together, they are now taking on the London Marathon. We are trying to complete all the Abbott World Marathon Majors, to raise awareness that disabled people across the World can take part in events with assistance. We have been racing for the last fifteen years and have done all types of events from 5K to Marathons and have enjoyed them immensely.

Chloe and I have already completed Berlin, Chloe loves being part of the racing World. She is very good at encouraging other runners, with her shouted out Well Done Guys, it is a tremendous lift for her to be involved in these major events.

However the continued cost of travel and accommodation is overwhelming and we are turning to JustGiving to see if anyone can help us .In our fifteen years of racing this is the first time we have asked for help towards funding, All donations given will be used to help us fulfill our dream.

We are open for suggestions of Charities that we could run for while completing these Major Marathons.

Thank you for taking an interest what we are doing, you can see more of what we have done on our webpage, ladybugstrust.org.uk

If you would like to support please scan the QR code or go to our special fundrasing page at

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/diane-couture

What we are aiming for

Given the restrictions of Chloe’s disabilities we have still taken part in many mainstream events and races, not just locally but nationally and internationally. We have shown that with the correct kit, sensible precautions and a ‘can do’ attitude it is possible for mainstream races to be open to assisted runners. Many of these races have been open to those who can propel their own chairs but never to those who needed to be pushed. We lead by example and are always willing to take on new challenges. As well as opening doors in the racing world, we recently were the first ever wheelchair team to abseil the Forth Rail Bridge and are looking at other venues and possibilities.

Our Vision

Our vision continues to raise awareness and to help others who are severely disabled or who have a family member or friend who look after someone with severe disabilities to access the world in ways that were not necessarily possible before.

At one time ‘assisted runners’ were banned from some of the major races that others are able to enjoy, now many of them open their races to those runners. Some still restrict the numbers who can take part, others still insist that such runners should ‘start at the back’ not realising that it is much easier for other participants to see a wheelchair running team and avoid them than it is for the running team to have to overtake them.

There is still a long way to go even though great strides have been made. We will continue to work with race organisers and other organisers of events to show just how it is possible to help the severely disabled be part of and enjoy the world in every way possible.