Southport Brain Cancer Survivor to Run 2026 London Marathon for Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

A Southport woman who beat brain cancer as a teenager is preparing to take on her first-ever marathon, in support of the charity that helped rebuild her confidence after treatment.

Eleanor Kilduff, now 25, will run the 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April 2026, to raise funds for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

The national charity supports young people aged 8–24 by taking them on sailing and outdoor adventures, helping them regain confidence and look ahead positively while living through and beyond cancer.

“I jumped at the opportunity”

Eleanor said:

“I’m looking forward to running the 2026 London Marathon, my first ever!

“I’ve always kept myself fit and active, and I’m a keen walker.

“I decided to take on the challenge when the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust announced marathon places for 2026, so I jumped at the opportunity and was delighted when I was drawn from the ballot.”

Eleanor’s decision carries deep personal meaning.

In 2018, during her first year at Liverpool John Moores University, Eleanor was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 18 years old.

“In 2018, at the age of 18, I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I was devastated.

“It took a huge hit on my confidence and mental health.

“But I overcame it following surgery at the Walton Centre; radiotherapy at Clatterbridge, and regular checkups at Alder Hey children’s hospital in Liverpool. They were brilliant.”

Eleanor received treatment at The Walton Centre, Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

Sailing trips that rebuilt confidence

After her treatment, Eleanor struggled to process what she had been through until she connected with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in 2019.

“However, I struggled coming to terms with the fact that I’d had to experience that. And that’s when the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust stepped in.

“It’s an organisation that means a lot to me because they supported me after treatment for brain cancer in 2019.

“The trust inspires young people between the ages of 8-24 to believe in a brighter future.

“They offer young people the opportunity to learn new skills and meet other young people ‘in the same boat’.”

Eleanor took part in three fully funded sailing trips, including voyages from Largs in Scotland and the Isle of Wight, supported by qualified crew and volunteer medics.

“They also offer opportunities for younger people to bring siblings along, helping to create lasting memories and friendships.”

A new chapter and a new challenge

Following her diagnosis, Eleanor deferred her studies after just one month at university.

“I was a fresher and I’d only managed a month of uni before I was diagnosed and had to defer.

“I was diagnosed pretty quickly. I suffered with headaches for two months straight; unexplained sickness, and ataxia.

“As soon as I was diagnosed I returned home.”

Eleanor graduated in 2022, later working at M&S in Southport and as an edit assistant on Hollyoaks, fulfilling a long-held ambition to work in television, before moving into her current role as a civil servant.

“So life’s changed a lot. But it all still feels like yesterday.

“It’s become a part of my identity and I didn’t want to lose touch with the organisations that supported me all those years ago.”

Now in training for the 2026 London Marathon, Eleanor is also organising fundraising activities, including an Easter raffle and bingo night.

“I am contacting local shops and businesses in the hope that they might be able to donate items such as chocolate, toiletries, wine or vouchers that I could use for prizes.

“If your business could help in any way I would be very grateful and happy to give regular shoutouts on my social media fundraising page.

“Thank you to everyone who is supporting my fundraising efforts!”

As she prepares to tackle her first marathon, Eleanor hopes her story will inspire others, just as the charity she is supporting once inspired her.

The GoFundMe link to donate to Eleanor’s fundrasier for Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is here.

Make sure to follow Eleanor’s inspiratiional story on Instagram ahead of the London Marathon.