Family Spotlight: London Marathon Runners 2025: Charlotte's Incredible Marathon Journey for Her Son Archer

At Tree of Hope, we are constantly inspired by the families we support and Charlotte Davies is no exception. This year, Charlotte took on the iconic London Marathon to raise funds for her son Archie, who has Angelman syndrome. Her story is one of love, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.

A Spontaneous Sign-Up That Sparked a Movement

When Charlotte first signed up to run the 2024 London Marathon, she couldn’t run a mile. But her goal was clear: to raise money for vital private physiotherapy that could help Archie learn to walk. Balancing marathon training with single parenthood and work was no easy feat. As Charlotte explains:

"It became a massive part of life—working out how to fit in the long runs around everything else. Now that it’s over, I kind of miss it, it gave me headspace and purpose."

Meet Archer: Living with Angelman Syndrome

Archer, now five, was diagnosed with Angelman syndrome at 10 months old. It’s a rare neuro-genetic disorder that causes severe learning difficulties, seizures, and delayed motor coordination. While Archie is not yet walking, his family has high hopes for his progress with the right support.

"The NHS is amazing, but like many families, we’ve experienced limitations due to under-resourced services. That’s why we started fundraising, to access regular, specialist physiotherapy that could make all the difference for Archie."

Thanks to Charlotte’s campaign and a £1,900 grant contributed to Archer's campaign, he is now receiving weekly physio sessions, rather than fortnightly ones—a key step forward.

A Marathon Fueled by Purpose

Charlotte didn’t just train for a race, she ran for her son’s future. She wore two special tags on her trainers: one with Archie’s name and one that read “I’m running so he can too.”

Charlotte explained, "Every step reminded me of how hard Archie works every day just to move. This wasn’t just about finishing a race. It was about connecting to what he goes through every single day."

By mile 18, Charlotte admitted she felt ready to give up. But the energy of the crowd and the shared spirit of the runners kept her going.

She said, “At one point, someone handed me an unopened bottle of water from the crowd. The kindness was overwhelming. But what really got me was that feeling—you’re surrounded by people who are fighting for something.”

Fundraising Impact and Next Steps

So far, Charlotte has raised over £3,200, and donations are still coming in. Combined with the Tree of Hope grant, this has enabled a full year of weekly therapy for Archer.

Charlotte said, “It’s been heartwarming. I couldn’t have done it without the Tree of Hope team, the donors, and the people cheering me on, friends, family, and total strangers. It really does take a village.”

And the impact is ongoing. Charlotte is already planning future fundraising efforts, with friends keen to get involved too.

“If You Want to See Human Kindness, Run a Marathon”

Charlotte’s advice to anyone considering a challenge like this?

“Even if it’s spontaneous, go for it. You’ll discover how kind people really are. Life with a child with additional needs can be tough, every little thing becomes harder. But this experience lifted me out of that mindset and reminded me just how much support we have around us.”