Ian Walker is fundraising for children’s charity Action Medical Research

On Sunday 27 April, Ian from Norfolk will take on the London Marathon to raise funds for children’s charity, Action Medical Research. A proud parent and grandparent, Ian is running in memory of one of his grandchildren, grandson Kaiden, who sadly passed away three years ago, after battling a congenital heart condition for eight years.

This will be Ian’s second time running the London Marathon, his first was in 2018 also with Action Medical Research quickly followed by taking part in the Vitality 10k in London with his wife Trudi. But his journey with Action Medical Research began back in 2015, taking part in the London to Paris cycle ride.

“Action Medical Research is a fantastic charity that I have supported over the last few years,” says Ian. “I will be 59 years old when I take part, with the big 60 peering around the corner a few months later. I am aiming to raise as much money as I can for Action to enable the charity to carry on helping those in need.”

Ian's personal connection to the charity’s mission runs deep. In addition to Kaiden’s story, Ian’s granddaughter, Kaiden`s sister Rosalie, was born prematurely at just 26 weeks, weighing only 1lb 15oz. After months of treatment at Addenbrookes in Cambridge she is now thriving. 

“The hope that research funded by Action brings to families like ours is simply incredible. I’ve been blessed with three wonderful sons and six amazing grandchildren, although sadly losing Kaiden at such an early age. I’m doing this to help give more children the chance to live full, healthy lives,” says Ian.

Felicity Louden, Head of Events at Action Medical Research, added:
“Action Medical Research is committed to funding research to understand premature birth and conditions which affect babies who have been born too soon. We are grateful to supporters like Ian who enable us to continue saving and changing lives.”

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide children’s charity which funds desperately needed research to tackle the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of our children. The research Action supports focuses on child health including problems affecting pregnancy, childbirth, babies, children and young people. It has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952 including helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.

You can support Ian’s fundraising efforts here:
👉 https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/ian-walker-66abe

Learn more about Action Medical Research: www.action.org.uk.