DRWF Fundraising: John to take on London Marathon in aid of diabetes research

Support John Gillibrand as he prepares to take on the TCS London Marathon for DRWF.

Watching his younger brother lead a healthy and active lifestyle while living with type 1 diabetes is providing the motivation for John Gillibrand to prepare for the upcoming London Marathon.

This year’s TCS London Marathon will be held on Sunday, 27^th April – with a 26.2-mile course taking in famous landmark sites across the centre of the capital – finishing up at St James’s Park following a final stretch along the Lower Thames Path.

John is aiming to raise £5,000 for DRWF and is so far more than halfway towards his target.

John said: “My younger brother Simon was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1975 at the age of 9. As a family we knew nothing about diabetes and there was very little information available in the mid-70's.

“Whilst insulin was available at that time, as a family we helped Simon to accept his condition and we educated ourselves in the dietary and exercise requirements to support our brother in managing his medication and the changes that were needed to be made to keep him safe and encourage him to talk about his condition. At the time we did not know what Simon's life expectancy would be.

“Simon is now aged 58 and very fit and healthy, runs marathons himself and I am inspired by him. I will be running the London Marathon 2025 to raise money for DRWF, towards their ultimate goal to discover a cure.

“Over the years other family members and friends have also been diagnosed with diabetes, including my father-in-law Dave and my best friend (and best man), Ian Hunter, all relying on the fantastic work done by DRWF.

“Thank you for reading and thank you for donating.”

Help John reach his fundraising goal by donating here

Tim Green, Head of Community Fundraising at DRWF, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our amazing London Marathon runner, John Gillibrand. His dedication and hard work have shone through as he has already raised an impressive £3,000 towards his fundraising goal of £5,000. His commitment not only inspires us all at DRWF but also makes a significant impact on our community. Thank you for your outstanding efforts and for going the extra mile (literally!).”

If John's incredible journey and unwavering commitment to the DRWF cause has inspired you, we have exciting news!

For the London Marathon 2026, we are offering an unprecedented 20 places.

Do not miss your chance to be part of this amazing experience!

Enquire today for more information by emailing here

Find out more about fundraising for DRWF here

Read more about type 1 diabetes