Allergy dad takes on the TCS London Marathon 2024 for his girls

Chris Soul is one of our runners flying the flag for Anaphylaxis UK at the TCS London Marathon 2024 on Sunday 21 April.

Chris’s motivation to proudly wear his Anaphylaxis UK top on race day is deeply personal, with both of his daughters having allergies. His eldest, Lily, was “failure to thrive” at 4 months old because of a milk allergy and needed feeding through a tube. Lily’s younger sister, Orla, has multiple serious allergies and went into anaphylactic shock at just aged one after being exposed to a pea protein in a vegan pizza.

Allergies have changed the family’s life, and Anaphylaxis UK has been by their side since diagnosis to offer online training, trusted resources to share with the wider family and school settings, and reassurance during challenging and uncertain times.

“I’m incredibly proud to be running the TCS London Marathon 2024 and raising important funds and awareness for Anaphylaxis UK, a charity that is so important to me, my family and the children I teach” says Chris.

A teacher and school leader by day, starting the conversation around allergies with his pupils and improving processes in the primary school to care for the children with allergies is extremely important to Chris. That’s why he is taking his fundraising to the next level and jumping on the opportunity to raise as much awareness as possible ahead of his race day.

On Wednesday 20 March 2024, Chris hosted a Fundraising Day at the school. It was a whole school approach, with pupils and colleagues joining Mr Soul for a sponsored mile run on their rooftop playground, an allergy assembly, a special storytime about pupils living with allergies, drawing posters to put up in classrooms and the dining hall, and a special visit from the mayor of Watford.

“I turn 40 a month after the London Marathon. I mark this milestone by running for all the adults and children who manage allergies and run the risk of anaphylaxis each day. I run for Anaphylaxis UK. And I run for my daughters”.

Please show your support for Chris and his TCS London Marathon 2024 journey for Anaphylaxis UK! If you’re soaking up the atmosphere on the big day (Sunday 21 April), don’t forget to look up Chris Soul on the official app to track his run. If you spot him – or any of our other wonderful Anaphylaxis UK runners – give him a big whoop! And you can sponsor him on his fundraising page. Thank you.