Our Runner’s stories
Every year we have an amazing team of runners, and many of them have also lost one or both parents as a young adult. We want to share their stories to help show to you that you’re not alone in your grief!
We have also shared their JustGiving links, so if any resonate with you and you’d like to help fund our work here are It’s Time click the links! And a huge thank you for all the support.
Katie’s Story
On the 12th April 2021, when I was 18, I suddenly lost my amazing dad. It completely turned mine and my families lives upside down.
I am running the Manchester half marathon in memory of my dad, raising money for It's Time Charity. It's Time is dedicated to supporting young people who have experienced parental loss.
A few months ago, I started volunteering as an ambassador and peer support volunteer, facilitating support groups and networks for young people who have lost one or both parents. After experiencing early parental loss, I feel passionate about helping others navigate through their own journeys of grief and the unique set of challenges that come with it.
Emily’s Story
In July 2023 when I was 26, I lost my Mom to cancer. Mom had a short but strong battle before she was taken far too soon at just 53 - I miss her so much. Mom will be in my heart forever and I think about her beautiful smile everyday.
Losing a parent as a young adult feels like a constant reminder of the things they’ll miss out on in your life - house moves, getting married, having children etc - all things that you should be able to do with your Mom at your side. My hope is that Mom will be proud of me through all these life milestones in the future, even though she can’t be here with us.
I am running London Landmarks Half Marathon in memory of my Mom and to raise money for It’s Time - a charity that supports young people who have experienced parent loss. Any donations will be massively appreciated and go directly to the charity to support other young adults navigating grief.
Mia’s story:
Hi, my name is Mia Day. I'm 18 years old, and I lost my dad to heart failure in the early hours of New Year’s Day when I was just 16.
It felt like my whole world was falling apart, but I came to understand that my grief was completely normal and that it was okay to feel the way I did. After losing my dad, I found myself feeling jealous when my friends talked about doing things with their dad’s. It made me feel like mine had been taken from me far too soon.
Since losing my dad, I’ve faced ongoing struggles with my mental health and came to realise that support isn’t always offered—you often have to seek it out yourself at such a young age. I reached out for help through the NHS’s talking therapies, where I explored different types of treatment, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). These sessions, along with being prescribed medication, have played a crucial role in helping me cope with my trauma and begin to navigate my own healing process.
Grief is still something I carry with me every day, but one thing I hold onto is the belief that my dad would be proud of the person I’m becoming. I was unbelievably lucky to have Peter Pan as my dad—a man full of magic, mischief, and endless love. I take each day as it comes, holding onto his humour, his spirit, and the joy he brought into every moment. His stories, his laughter, and everything he was will live on through me. As long as I’m here, I promise to keep his spirit alive and make sure the world never forgets the wonder that he was.
Taradee’s story:
In February 2021, I lost my mum very suddenly when she suffered a heart attack in her sleep when I was 24. What should of just been a normal day turned into my worst nightmare when I found myself in the world without either parent as my dad passed away when I was 12 from cancer.
My mum was my one safe space, my constant in life and my ultimate best friend and trying to navigate a world that she isn't in has the been the hardest time.
I learnt over the years that grief is like a shadow, no matter how fast or far you run it will always follow you. It creeps up when it's least expected and consumes you whole, put it can also be a comfort.
My mum had cared and helped people her whole life, from her personal life to her role as a nurse. When I stumbled across the charity on tiktok, it opened up the opportunity to be able to do something with my mums legacy, to reflect the work she did in my own way.
Running in the Great North Run for it's time is a huge honor to me and being able to raise awareness and support others who are going through similar situations.
Sophie’s story:
I wanted to touch on the incredible support this charity provides to young adults, who have experienced the loss of one or both parents, as well as helping their family, friends, educational establishments and businesses to support them better.
I lost my wonderful Dad at 21, during the placement year of my Undergraduate degree, where at the time, there wasn't any clear support pathways for young adults going through grief.
You were either too old, too young or across universities, there wasn't a 'policy in place to support the issue' and so you were expected to continue working as though nothing had happened - that's where It's Time now come in!
Pretty much just that before there wasn't a lot of support for those who lost parents before and now you guys are a massive help!