Celebrating our 2026 sporting superstars!
At Isle Listen we are delighted to have such incredible supporters, from corporates that support us with sponsorship and matched funding, to schools that hold bake sales, members of the public that take on challenges with their own personal motivations and everything in between, we can’t do what we do without incredible community support.
One of the most popular and impactful ways to support charity has always been taking on sporting challenges. As a mental health charity, we are keen to promote the strong positive link between exercise and good mental health. Getting out in the fresh air, moving our bodies and releasing endorphins can do wonders for both our physical and mental health.
Over the years, some of our supporters have taken on incredible challenges and feats of endurance, all in the name of supporting Isle Listen and our mission for better mental health for our Island’s young people.
Whilst we always make every effort to engage with each of our supporters throughout their fundraising journey, we know they do not always get the air-time they deserve. With this in mind, we’d like to tell you more about some of our sporting superstars of 2026 so far.
January Sporting Heroes
Lauren Lei Kelly – Run Every Day in January
Lauren set herself the challenge to Run Every Day (RED) in January 2026 “for my own mental health, but to also raise awareness and money for charity.”
Lauren powered through the darkest and coldest month, running every single day!
Lauren raised an amazing £725 for Isle Listen.
Kieran Thomas & Andy Lean – Manchester Hyrox in Firefighting Kit
Manx firefighters Kieran Thomas and Andy Lean took part in the Manchester Hyrox Pro Doubles in their full fire fighting kit (weighing 10kgs!) The Hyrox consisted of an 8km run with eight workouts in between: 33kg kettlebells, 22kg sandbags and a 1km row. Aside from the weight of the kit – the uniform brought with it its own unique challenge. “Not only does it keep exterior heat out but it also holds body heat in!”
The original motivation behind the event was to mark Kieran’s 40th birthday, however, Keiran and Andy’s deeper meaning behind taking on the challenge was to highlight the importance of mental health, which both said they had seen first-hand.
Speaking of this, Andy, who has been in his role for 13 years said: “As a firefighter, unfortunately some of the callouts we respond to, we’re seeing people at the back end of mental health struggles.” “With the downsides of the job, we’ve experienced calls that have affected the mental health of the fire station.”
For Kieran, the issue was closer to home: “When Andy mentioned raising money for a mental health charity, it was good for me, with things that happened with me in my upbringing.” “It spurs you on a little more,” he added.
They crossed the line in one hour and 35 minutes, and raised an incredible £1,772 for Isle Listen.
March Sporting Heroes
Tokyo Marathon – Bernie Johnson
Bernie has been a long-time supporter of Isle Listen, completing a few marathons for us already. She hosts regular couch to 5k running groups to help with fundraising, and encouraging others to get into running.
Bernie completed the Tokyo Marathon in 3:46:12 and raised £3,456 for Isle Listen
Tokyo Marathon – Helen Taylor
A keen marathon runner, Tokyo was Helen’s 6th major, completing her 6 star journey. Speaking of running for Isle Listen Helen said: “It will be an honor to run this event for Isle Listen and help them raise funds to continue the work they provide on the Island, supporting mental health throughout schools and communities. Working in education myself I appreciate the help and support that Isle Listen provides.”
Helen completed the Tokyo Marathon in 3:21:40 and raised £3,233 for Isle Listen.
Tokyo Marathon – Ian Goatman
The Tokyo Marathon represents Ian’s fifth race in the World Marathon Majors series, having completed London, Berlin, New York, and Chicago. Having supported Isle Listen through running marathons in the past, speaking of his motivations to run for Isle Listen, Ian said “As a parent to a 14-year-old daughter, I know firsthand how vital it is to support young people in understanding and managing their mental wellbeing. Isle Listen provides early intervention, education, and training in schools and workplaces across the island — helping to build a community that listens, supports, and acts.”
Ian completed the Tokyo Marathon in 3:18:13 and raised £4,228 for Isle Listen.
Liverpool Half Marathon – Bianca, Georgia, Cory, Steven, Alex & Alice from Zeta Global Group
The team from Zeta Global Group took on the Liverpool Half Marathon on the 15th March, raising funds for Isle Listen.
Speaking of the challenge, they said “As a team at Zeta Global, we believe mental health support should be available to everyone. Taking on the Liverpool Half Marathon is our way of challenging ourselves while raising awareness and funds for a cause that makes a real difference.”
All runners finished including two first-timers and 3 PB’s! Georgia said “It was a great event with lots of support! A few hills and a downpour at the end but still fun!”
They raised £2,000 for Isle Listen.
Rome Marathon – Jeff Moore
Serial Isle Listen marathon runner Jeff took on Rome Marathon on 22nd March for Isle Listen. Jeff ran in memory of friend Ben Charmer. Speaking of the challenge, Jeff said “I will be running in memory of my best friend Ben Charmer who lost his life to mental health. Since 2023 I have raised over £7000 for this charity which is amazing. I’m so grateful I’m able to support this charity doing something I love and also seeing these amazing places is a bonus and meeting other runners from around the world. Its important children and young adults get support around mental health at a young age.”
Jeff completed Rome Marathon in 03:08:40 and raised £1,420 for Isle Listen.
Berlin Half Marathon – Lynsey Woods
Seasoned marathon and half marathon runner Lynsey took on her final of the ‘Super Halfs’ series in Berlin on 29th March, officially becoming a ‘Superrunner’. As a Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist, Lynsey knows firsthand how raising funds for Isle Listen can help. Lynsey completed the Berlin Half Marathon in 01:50:48 and raised £500.
London Marathon – Jennifer England
Having run the London Marathon before, Jennifer chose to run for Isle Listen this year. Speaking of why she chose to run for us, Jen said: “Running the London Marathon for Isle Listen was a huge honour and a truly unforgettable experience. As a teenager, I struggled with my mental health, so supporting a charity that provides such important mental health services means a lot to me personally. I have always believed that mental health is just as important as physical health. As a parent of two young children, I believe it’s important that young people learn about and understand mental wellbeing from an early age. I think the work Isle Listen does in schools is incredibly important, and I genuinely wish a charity like Isle Listen had been around when I was at school.”
“I don’t consider myself a runner, and taking on the marathon was a huge challenge, especially as I was carrying an injury. However, it turned out to be one of the most amazing days of my life. The crowds, atmosphere and support were incredible, and hearing the different reasons people were taking part was genuinely inspiring. A huge thank you to Isle Listen for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a special day.” She completed it 04:41:23 and has raised £1,830 for Isle Listen, with matched funding still to come.
London Marathon – Jess Bryan
Jess is one of our own, in her day job she is a Wellbeing Practitioner, working within our Talk service to provide vital low-intensity therapy for our Island’s young people. Speaking of her role and motivations behind entering the London Marathon, Jess said “Times are different, social media, the school environment everyone including young people face different challenges daily…equipping our young people with the confidence and skills to navigate those challenges when they arise.”
“I hope to help raise awareness that our mental health is just as important as our physical health. You can’t have one without the other! Running a marathon you may think is all about physical endurance but as those miles tick along it’s the mental strength I need to rely on to pull me through.”
Jess impressively took on the London Marathon the morning after her hen party in Manchester! With just one hour’s sleep, Jess completed the London Marathon with an incredible time of 03:39:16. Jess raised £2,320 for Isle Listen.
London Marathon – Mike Ryan
After being accepted through the disability ballot for the London Marathon, veteran Mike Ryan took on the challenge in his wheelchair – becoming the first Manxman to do so.
Speaking before the event, Mike said: “Choosing to support Isle Listen means a great deal to me. The reality of being in a wheelchair isn’t something you can just brush off. It’s easy to sit and struggle with the hand you’re dealt, but that doesn’t mean things aren’t possible. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not where I want to be, but I take pride in knowing that I’m in a much better place than I was.
Raising awareness around mental health through this challenge is hugely important to me, because if sharing that journey helps even one person realise they can keep going, then it’s worth it. I truly believe it’s all in the execution, and I have every intention of completing this challenge.
I will finish it – no matter what.”
Mike completed the marathon in a time of 06:03:52, raising £645 for Isle Listen. An incredible achievement.
April Sporting Heroes
Manchester Marathon – Andrew Titley & Lucy Titley-Brabban
Local walking legend and ‘centurion’ Andrew is no stranger to a sporting challenge, and has been a long-time supporter of Isle Listen. For his next challenge in support of Isle Listen, Andrew partnered up with his daughter Lucy to take on a series of endurance challenges, ‘Every Mile Matters: Andrew’s 2026 Challenge’, with Lucy joining him for two of them and supporting for the other.
Speaking of challenges, Andrew said: “It’s going to be physically and mentally demanding, but I’m doing it for a cause that really matters to me.”
Their first challenge was the Manchester Marathon on 19th April. Andrew finished in 04:12:28 and Lucy in 04:02:04. To date, Andrew and Lucy have raised £710 for Isle Listen.
Andrew’s next challenges are as follows:
- The Manx Telecom Parish Walk: 20–21 June 2026
- The Isle of Man Backyard Ultra: 2 October 2026
Feeling inspired?
We are so incredibly grateful for all our supporters and fundraisers, but special mention must go to those who support us through these challenges and feats of endurance. It takes a lot physically, mentally and often financially and even socially to take on a marathon or other sporting challenge. From organising fundraising events and gathering supporters, to booking flights and planning logistics, as well as the many hours of often lonely training. A lot of these challenges are tough mentally, which is particularly poignant given the nature of our charity. We are forever in awe of what the human mind and body can achieve.
As we look forward to the second half of 2026, we are lucky to have a number of other supporters taking on personal challenges in aid of Isle Listen, including The Parish Walk and a number of international marathons. We’ll be sharing their stories later in the year.
If you’re feeling inspired to take on your own challenge in aid of Isle Listen, take a look at our upcoming marathons and half marathons here: https://www.islelisten.im/sporting-challenges/
Whether you would like to take a marathon place or you have your own challenge in mind, please get in touch with our friendly fundraising team to let us know more about it. We’d love to have a chat to cover:
- Your story and motivations
- Explain more about our charity how your how your fundraising makes a difference to our mental health education programme, building a more resilient next generation
- Explain fundraising targets and ideas to hit these
- Support with setting up a fundraising page e.g. Just Giving
- Tips on how to host a fundraising event and supplying the relevant kit such as collection tins and Isle Listen banners
- Supply relevant Isle Listen branded sportswear (if appropriate)
Please reach out! Email fundraising@islelisten.im or call 01624 679118