03 February 2025

Running for Redwings: Part 1

Two supporters wearing Redwings running tops stand outside a stable with a small pony poking their head over the door.

In April, two supporters will be running the London Marathon for Redwings. We believe it’s the first time anyone will have completed the special event on our behalf!

This blog marks the start of a regular series where we find out more about our intrepid runners, Steph Callen and Stephen Kennard, and the ways you can support them.

This week, we hear from Steph about why she chose to support Redwings and take on this famous challenge.

“Hi there! I worked for Redwings for nine years and remain hugely supportive of the charity’s work.

I’ve seen first hand the incredible work that takes place here to care for neglected, abused and abandoned horses and donkeys whose lives would have otherwise looked bleak.

Everyone, whatever department they work within, really does pull together to ensure every horse that walks through the Sanctuary’s gates receives the love they desperately deserve, while simultaneously doing what they can to educate the public on the importance of animal welfare so countless more can be saved from a life of neglect.

So, when my name was pulled out of the London Marathon public ballot last summer, it wasn’t difficult to decide which charity I should run for.

A little more about me…

So, how did I come to putting my name in the ballot in the first place?!

I started running about 10 years ago and for a few years I would regularly take on 10k and half marathon races. I was never particularly fast, but I always enjoyed the challenge.

However in 2020, for health reasons, I was told it would be best if I stopped completely. So I did, overnight, which felt like quite the loss at the time.

After having my daughter in 2022, I tried to ease myself back into running a few times, but life always seemed to get in the way – illness, injury, sheer tiredness! I was coming to the conclusion that perhaps I should pick a different hobby!

Then at the start last year, in an act of encouragement, my husband dared me to complete a marathon by the time I reached 40 in 2026. So, I put my name in the London Marathon ballot. With only a 2% chance of being picked out, I genuinely thought nothing of it… until the congratulations email popped up in my inbox a couple of months later!

It’s not been easy; juggling life around the rigours of marathon training – with the odd injury thrown in along the way – has been a big challenge but I’m feeling positive.

I really hope you’ll be able to support me and Stephen as we plough on with this final block of training as the sessions get more intense and the runs get longer!

Thank you so much!”

If you'd like to support our marathon runners, you can sponsor Steph here and Stephen here.

Thank you #RedwingsAngels!