Student officer running London Marathon in memory of mum

11 April 2024

With this year’s London Marathon just weeks away, Student Officer Tom Stewart is just weeks away from running the 26-mile route in memory of his mum, who took her own life when he was just 15.

Tom, 37, will be fundraising for national charity Samaritans after his mum and grandfather both died by suicide following their own battles with mental health.

The trainee cop, who is just over a year into the role says he is running the marathon to raise both money and awareness of mental health.

“This is my first marathon, I’ve never done anything like this before, it’s pretty daunting,” said Tom, who revealed it has been a challenge juggling shift work and training.

“It’s been months of 3am runs, along with a mixture of freezing cold and hot-salt baths, the training has been intense.”

Student Officer Tom Stewart.

Despite a gruelling build-up to the event, Tom said that it will ‘all be worth it’ if he can help people ‘open up’ and get them talking about mental health.

“When mum took her own life, I was just a teenager. I was pretty angry at the time but you grow up and accept what’s happened,” said Tom.

“It completely shaped the person I am today. My family is everything now. They are my biggest supporters and I am fearlessly protective of them.

“I don’t look back with anger anymore. I just want to use my grief and my experience to help others. I’m using what happened in the past to impact the present day,” he continued.

“I want people to know that it’s OK not to be OK. But the biggest thing is, I want people - either those who are facing their own mental health battles or the loved ones of those who have taken their own life - to see that they’re not alone.”

Tom’s mum was 49 when she died by suicide. Her father also took his own life before Tom was born.

He will be wearing a picture of his mum and grandfather, on his parents’ wedding day, on his running top as he takes on the annual challenge later this month. 

“My mum and grandfather will be there with me, through all the sweat and tears,” he added.

“I think running the marathon will also provide me with some sort of closure.”

This is Tom’s marathon debut after he took up running during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I’d run up to around 10km before this,” he explained, adding: “But I had an itch that wouldn’t go away. I wanted to do a marathon.

“I’m feeling really good about the event though - and stronger with each training run.”

To help get conversations around mental health started, Tom has documented his training journey on Instagram, under the username: '@run.withtom'

He said: “It’s amazing, I’ve had people from all over the country and the world contact me about the marathon and why I’m running it.”

You can donate to Tom’s cause by visiting his JustGiving page.

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