Didcot woman to run London Marathon for 19th time in a row

Nursing assistant Eileen Naughton is set to run the marathon to raise awareness and funds for the charity Children With Cancer UK.

Mrs Naughton works on the Major Trauma Ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and part time at Chilton Garden Centre.

Passionate about supporting children diagnosed with cancer, Ms Naughton’s efforts will contribute to the charity’s mission of funding life-saving research.

She began her charitable running journey in 2008 and has since competed in various marathons, raising more than £38,000 for several charities.

These include Children With Cancer, the Oxfordshire Oesophageal and Stomach Organisation, and the Meningitis Trust.

Her motivation to run also stems from personal loss.

She became familiar with the distressing reality of a cancer diagnosis after her mother died from oesophageal cancer in June 2018.

Mrs Naughton has said she has been training since December and has clocked up more than 100 runs totalling more than 588 miles.

Anyone wishing to support Ms Naughton can make a donation via the Enthuse fundraising website.

Ms Naughton’s unwavering commitment to charity work serves as an example to others.

From moving heavy plant trolleys at the garden centre and netting Christmas trees in December to running half-marathons in Reading and Wokingham in preparation, she is dedicated to making a difference.