TNA UK London Marathon: Run for Someone You Love
By Aneeta Prem, CEO of TNA UK
TNA UK London Marathon supporter David De Rosa has completed the London Marathon 2026, raising more than £2,700 and counting for Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK. He ran for his wife, Julie, and for every person living with trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain.
David completed the full 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 21 minutes. His official marathon tracker showed 100% completed, marking the end of a demanding physical challenge and the success of a deeply personal act of support.
This was never only about running. At its heart, it was about love, commitment and awareness. Because David has seen what trigeminal neuralgia can do to someone he loves, he chose to turn that experience into action.
Julie has lived with TN for six years. During that time, David has seen the severe facial pain, the fear of the next attack and the way this condition can affect ordinary daily life.
Why the TNA UK London Marathon matters
For most people, a marathon is one very hard day. It demands stamina, discipline and resolve.
By contrast, trigeminal neuralgia can return without warning. It can affect eating, drinking, washing, brushing teeth, speaking, working, family life and confidence.
TN can also make people anxious about when the next attack may come. As a result, some people withdraw from plans, social life and ordinary routines because they do not know when pain will strike.
Families carry part of that burden too. They may watch someone they love in severe pain while knowing they cannot simply take that pain away.
That is why David’s run matters.
Every mile helped make trigeminal neuralgia more visible. Each donation helped support TNA UK’s work. Above all, every message of encouragement helped show people living with TN and facial pain that they are not forgotten.
David ran for Julie
David ran for his wife, Julie, who has lived with trigeminal neuralgia for six years.
On his fundraising page, he described the severe facial pain, the fear of the next attack, and the way TN can affect basic daily life, including eating, drinking, washing and brushing teeth.
His words explain why awareness matters. Although TN is experienced by the person in pain, its impact reaches further. It also affects husbands, wives, partners, children, parents, friends, colleagues and carers who want to help, but often feel powerless.
Many people support TNA UK because they live with trigeminal neuralgia themselves. Others support us because they love someone who does.
They see the pain. They see the courage it takes to keep going. In many cases, they also see how much difference the right information, support and understanding can make.
David turned that love into something practical.
A milestone with meaning
In February, David turned 60. To mark that milestone, he decided that running the London Marathon would be memorable and meaningful.
After receiving a place through the ballot, he chose to use it to raise money for TNA UK and increase awareness of trigeminal neuralgia.
Before the race, David told TNA UK that this was his first marathon in 14 years. Understandably, he felt apprehensive. Even so, he trained through wind, rain and hail.
On the hardest days, when he questioned why he was doing it, the kind comments and donations from TNA UK members and supporters helped keep him going.
That says a great deal about David. It also says a great deal about the kindness within the TNA UK community.
David’s message after the London Marathon
After completing the London Marathon, David said:
“I’m really pleased to say that I completed the London Marathon 2026 in 4hrs 21mins. It was an incredible experience for an incredible cause. I’m truly grateful for all the donations and supportive comments that drove me on. Thank you.”
He also sent a kind message to people living with TN and facial pain, offering his sincere sympathy and hoping that those affected can find suitable treatment to help manage their condition.
For TNA UK, those words matter because they recognise the people at the heart of our work.
More than £2,700 raised and still rising
David has now raised more than £2,700, and the total is still rising.
This support helps TNA UK continue its work for people living with trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain. Through information, helpline support, e-helpline support, Regional Support Groups, webinars, events, awareness work and a national patient voice, TNA UK helps people feel less alone.
For many people, finding TNA UK is the first time they feel properly heard. It may also be the first time they speak to someone who understands how severe, frightening and life-changing trigeminal neuralgia can be.
Fundraising helps us reach more people. In addition, it keeps trigeminal neuralgia in public view and helps us continue speaking up for people living with facial pain every day.
Make your donation go further with Gift Aid
If you are an eligible UK taxpayer, your donation may be worth even more to TNA UK through Gift Aid.
Gift Aid allows charities to claim an extra 25p for every £1 donated, at no extra cost to the donor, where the donor is eligible and has completed the Gift Aid declaration.
For example, a £20 donation could become £25 for TNA UK.
When donating to David’s JustGiving page, eligible UK taxpayers should tick the Gift Aid option if they can. It is a simple way to increase the value of a donation and help TNA UK support more people.
Could you fundraise for TNA UK?
David’s achievement shows what one person can do.
However, you do not have to run a marathon. You do not have to be an athlete. Instead, you simply have to decide that trigeminal neuralgia deserves to be seen, understood and supported.
You could fundraise for yourself if you live with TN or facial pain. Alternatively, you could fundraise for someone you love.
Some people may choose to fundraise in memory of someone whose life was affected by this condition. Others may run, walk, cycle, swim, bake, organise a coffee morning, hold a workplace collection, mark a birthday, create a school challenge or choose their own sponsored event.
What matters is not the size of the challenge. What matters is the reason behind it.
David ran for Julie. You could run, walk, bake, cycle or fundraise for someone you love, for yourself, or for every person still waiting to be understood.
Every fundraiser helps TNA UK raise awareness. Each donation helps us support more people. Every shared story helps another person understand trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain.
A thank you from TNA UK
Aneeta Prem, CEO of TNA UK, said:
“David’s London Marathon achievement is a wonderful act of love and support. He ran for his wife, Julie, and for every person living with trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain. Every mile helped raise awareness of a condition that is still too often misunderstood. We are deeply grateful to David, to Julie, and to everyone who donated, shared his page and encouraged him.”
TNA UK sends heartfelt thanks to David and to every person who supported him before, during and after the marathon.
Although his marathon is complete, the awareness he has raised will continue to matter.
Support David or start your own fundraiser
David’s JustGiving page remains open for donations.
Donate here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-de-rosa-1
Eligible UK taxpayers can also add Gift Aid when donating, at no extra cost.
You can also support TNA UK by choosing your own fundraising challenge.
Run for yourself. Walk for someone you love. Fundraise in memory of someone affected by TN. Give because people living with trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain need support, recognition and hope.
Could you be the next person to fundraise for TNA UK?
Author box
Aneeta Prem is CEO of Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK. She leads TNA UK’s work to improve awareness, support and understanding for people living with trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain.