A Southport woman who overcame brain cancer at just 18 years of age is getting ready to take on her first ever TCS London Marathon.
Eleanor Kilduff is running to raise money for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, a national charity that takes young people aged 8-24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.
Eleanor, who is now 25-years-old and will be 26 in June, is in training to take on the 26.2 mile TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26th April 2026.
She 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.
“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.
“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’.
“They also offer opportunities for younger people to bring siblings along, helping to create lasting memories and friendships.
“I was fortunate to go on three sailing trips with the trust, one from their base in Largs, Scotland, and The Isle of Wight.
“All trips are fully funded with fully qualified crew and volunteer medics.
“In 2019 I was living in university accommodation at Liverpool John Moores 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.
“When I graduated in 2022 I began working in the M&S in Southport town centre, then on Hollyoaks as an edit assistant. I’d always wanted to work in TV.
“But I decided I wanted a change. A new challenge.
“I’m a civil servant currently.
“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.
“I am currently training for the 2026 London Marathon and also planning to hold an Easter raffle and fundraising 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!”
- You can donate to her GoFundMe page here: Fundraiser by Eleanor Kilduff : Eleanor takes on TCS London Marathon
- Follow along on Instagram on the eleanor_vs_tcslondon2026 page for more: (6) Instagram
- For more on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust visit: Believe in a brighter future
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