Thomas' Story: Running The 2026 Prague Marathon in memory of his late Mum, Jane.

"The emotional impact of losing my mother to a rare autoimmune disease has been massive on my family, and it’s only now, after three years, that I’m ready to return to think about the loss and attempt this challenge."

After sadly losing his mum, Jane, to a rare autoimmune disease when she was just 47 years old, Thomas is running the Prague International Marathon in May with a group of friends to honour her memory and raise vital funds for the Wren Project.

The group met through going to school and university together and there are 10 of them taking on this challenge; Thomas, Annie, Andre, Alex, Frankie, Ben, Georgina, James, Minh and Evie.

Jane lived with relapsing polychondritis (RP), a rare and complex autoimmune disease, for nearly eight years. Devastatingly, she passed away at just 47 years old. 

The Prague Marathon is a symbolic challenge for Thomas and the group as it was the place where relapsing polychondritis was first discovered.

During Jane's battle with RP, she faced ongoing uncertainty, regular medical appointments, and difficult treatments. Alongside managing her own health, Jane worked as a carer for adults with multiple disabilities and was an active member of online RP support groups. She regularly shared information and checked in on others living with the condition, offering support even when things were tough for her.

"Seeing how frightening and limiting it can be to live with a poorly understood and difficult-to-diagnose autoimmune condition opened my eyes. My mother was incredibly pragmatic and resilient person who still struggled under the pressures of living with autoimmune disease, there will be people for whom this experience will be completely overwhelming, and I think The Wren Project’s one-to-one listening support initiatives purposefully address an area where they can make a real impact."

For Thomas, seeing his mum go through this highlighted how isolating autoimmune disease can be, and how difficult it is for others to fully understand that experience. “I don’t think I could properly understand what it must have been like for her,” he says, reflecting on how that gap in understanding could feel isolating.

When Jane passed away, it left a lasting impact on her family. As well as grieving her loss, there is also a sense of the life she did not get to fully live, including her plans for travel, time with family, and her career.

Three years on, Thomas and the group are using this challenge as a way to reflect and to give something back. Running it as part of a group also reflects the sense of community behind the challenge. As Thomas puts it, he hopes they can “represent The Wren Project’s mission of camaraderie in the face of adversity.”

The group of fundraisers hope their fundraising will both contribute to these services and raise awareness of autoimmune diseases, which are often misunderstood and can disproportionately affect women.

"We wanted to be deliberate with our fundraising mission, and chose The Wren Project for their compassionate and inclusive approach to providing support and community for people with autoimmune diseases. In the chaos of multiple consultations, medical second opinions and limited resources, people should be afforded spaces where they feel heard, and where they can relate with others experiencing the same thing. As autoimmune diseases are relatively understudied and increasingly prevalent, we are and will need services like those provided by The Wren Project to support people through these life-changing diagnoses."

There is still time to support this inspiring group of fundraisers taking on this challenge and help them to raise vital funds in Jane's memory. You can make a donation here.

Thomas also encourages others to consider fundraising in their own way. “You do not need personal experience of autoimmune disease to make a meaningful difference,” he says, highlighting that raising awareness is just as important as raising funds.

As they prepare for the marathon, Thomas is carrying his mum’s memory with him and using the experience to support others facing similar challenges. 

The Wren Project team have been moved by Jane's story and are sending our support to Thomas, his family and his friends as they take on this inspirational challenge in memory of his Mum. The funds Thomas and his group of 10 taking on The Prague Marathon are raising for us will allow us to ease the loneliness, isolation and grief of more people living with autoimmune disease. Please consider making a donation.

If you live with an autoimmune disease and would like to access free emotional support from the Wren Project, you can reach out to us here.

If you would like to speak to our team about fundraising for us, please get in touch with Greg at community@wrenproject.org