11 runners took on the TCS London Marathon yesterday, completing the 26.2 mile challenge to raise vital funds for Jewish Care and Jami, part of Jewish Care. Among them was a group of inspiring individuals, each with their own personal motivation for running. The funds raised support the charity’s work across the life stages of the Jewish community, which includes supporting those from the age of 11 upwards struggling with mental health, older people to live independently in the community as long as possible, and providing specialist dementia care, mental health support and end-of-life care.
Solly Sperber quite literally wore his heart on his sleeve this year, having designed the shirts that Jewish Care and Jami runners proudly wore on race day. Solly ran for Jami, part of Jewish Care and the community’s mental health services.
He said, “I grew up watching my dad run marathons, so it has always felt like a real benchmark of personal challenge. There is something quite powerful about the idea that when you finish, you can say “I did that”.
Solly has seen firsthand the impact of the charity’s work as a member the Strategic Advisory Committee and by volunteering in care homes, retirement living resources and community centres with YJJC (Young Jami Jewish Care) Super Sundays. “The residents are incredibly appreciative, and it is very clear that even a couple of hours of your time can make a difference. It’s simple, but it means so much.”
Despite a “tough but rewarding” training schedule, Solly said he had been looking forward to race day,
“It has definitely been more challenging than I expected, but I was really looking forward to the atmosphere. All of my training had been solo, so running alongside other people and being part of something bigger was really exciting.”
Jonathan Weissbart, who raised money for Jewish Care, shared, “It was an amazing atmosphere and a great day. I had just recovered from my Boston Marathon. I was really motivated to run for Jewish Care as members of my family use Jewish Care services, and so we were delighted to raise money for such a wonderful cause, which motivated me to run two marathons in a week.
“My mother-in-law enjoys going to Jewish Care’s Singing for Memory group and really enjoyed the Singing for Joy event recently, so we have a strong personal connection.”
Gabriella Wilton ran in memory of her grandmother, who had been cared for at Jewish Care’s Anita Dorfman House care home at Sandringham.
Gabriella said, “I ran in honour of my wonderful Grandma Norma, who was cared for so compassionately for five years at Anita Dorfman House care home. It was a privilege to be able to combine my passion for running with raising money for such an incredible cause.
“My Grandma had so much love to give, I took her quick wit and humour with me to the finish line.”
Her training had included increasing mileage and even a half marathon along the Northen Line. “Running alongside others gave me a real boost. I’m grateful for all the support and donations.”
Andrew Casher ran to support Jewish Care, after seeing the support they gave to both sides of his family.
He said, “Jewish Care provided invaluable advice and practical support to our family as both sets of grandparents grew older. It’s something no one is ever fully prepared for, and having the organisation as a trusted sounding board made a real difference.
“One of my grandmothers developed dementia, and Jewish Care guided us through the difficult transition from assisted living to a full-time care home, helping us understand and manage each step of the process.
“My other grandmother received more day-to-day support, from arranging Meals on Wheels when she could no longer cook for herself to attending social events for older people at the Maurice & Vivienne Wohl Campus in Golders Green.
“It’s incredibly reassuring to know this kind of support exists within the community.”
Although an experienced runner, this was his first marathon. He shared, “It felt amazing, a really great and joyous feeling, and when it was hard the crowd made a huge difference. I loved every minute of it from training to fundraising. It was amazing to have the support of all your friends and family and to do it for a great cause you care about.”
24-year-old Tova Liebert had been inspired to run after discovering the positive impact of running on her own wellbeing.
“Running has really lifted me and helped me through some really challenging times.”
She chose to support Jewish Care, a charity close to her heart, after witnessing its mental health services in action while her aunt was cared for at Sidney Corob House, a Jewish Care home for those with enduring mental health needs.
“The care and dedication at Sidney Corob House care home is truly humbling. My family and myself are so eternally grateful to Jewish Care for the lifesaving services they provide.”
Balancing early morning training runs with her work in a school, Tova has pushed herself from 13k to 30k over the past few months.
On race day, she said she had most looked forward to the atmosphere and seeing friends and family cheering her on every step of the way.
Twenty-six-year-old Jake Russell ran his second London Marathon, despite a challenging lead-up. Jake is from London and found running a good outlet outside of work. He has been running since 2024.
He said, “My training was going well for the first eight weeks and then I got injured and had been managing the pain for the past three weeks. So, I had been juggling work and injury with training, which was always going to be a challenge.”
On top of this, he also got stuck in Israel for two weeks when the war with Iran broke out. “Running when there were sirens and rockets was also a challenge,” he said.
Last year, when Jake ran the Marathon for the first time, the heat was the biggest challenge on the day. This year, he says it is going to be his injury.
Jake has been involved with YJJC for two years and sits on the YJJC Social Committee and Young Professionals Dinner Committee.
“Seeing firsthand the hard work of everyone involved in the charity and where the money goes is really important to me. Hearing about how individuals have benefitted from Jami’s mental health services cements how important this mental health service is.
“I think Jami, like Jewish Care, is one of the most important pillars of the Jewish community in the UK. It also plays an important part in the community through Head Room café in Golders Green.”
Jake had a lot of friends and family come down to watch him on the day and looked forward to celebrating with a beer after the race.
“To run it for a charity like Jami, which does vitally important work in the community, is something to be quite proud of.”
Debby took on her first London Marathon, a mental health nurse working in a CAMHS service within the NHS, she sees firsthand the impact that the right support can have. “There was no better way to combine my passion for running and mental health together.” Debby said.
“I know quite a few people who have benefited from the various services that Jami provides. I’m running for the people who have mental health struggles, and for the resilience and strength they show. The London Marathon is iconic and it’s the one that I wanted to do for my first marathon.”
Debby began running during the COVID‑19 pandemic, when gyms were closed and structure during the week was hard to come by. Working in a hospital in central London at the time, she started with Couch to 5K and quickly found that running became about far more than fitness. “I loved how it made me feel,” she explained. “The impact on my wellbeing was just amazing.” From there, her running progressed steadily into half marathons, and eventually towards the 26.2‑mile challenge she’s now completed.
Like many first‑time marathon runners, she admitted to some natural anxieties about the distance – what runners often call “maranoia” – but remained hopeful that her training would carry her through, and it did.
After crossing the finish line, Debby planned to make the most of the achievement. With her 28th birthday falling in the same week, celebrations were firmly on the agenda. “This will be a week-long celebration,” she said. “Wearing my medal, being proud of it, enjoying good food, having a spa day – and annoying everyone who’ll be hearing about it.”
Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing, Ellisa Estrin, says, “We are so incredibly proud of the commitment and strength of all our runners and so thankful to all of them for taking on this amazing challenge to raise vital funds for Jewish Care and Jami.
“This year, Jewish Care needs to raise £20 million to ensure we can continue to deliver our vital services. The fund raised by our runners will help us to reach this goal so we can support our aging Jewish community to live independently for as long as possible, alongside providing specialist dementia care, mental health support, and end-of-life care. Our services span across the life stages – from supporting young people aged 11 and over who are struggling with their mental health, through to caring for older people in the Jewish community with increasingly complex needs.”
You can still donate to our runners for Jewish Care
- Andrew Casher: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/andrew-casher
- Gabriella Wilton: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/gabriella-wilton
- Tova Liebert: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/tova-liebert
- Melanie Manton
- Jonathan Weissbart: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-weissbart-5
And for Jami, part of Jewish Care
- Solomon (Solly) Sperber: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sollysperber
- Jake Russell: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/jake-russell
- Adam Gold: Adam Gold is fundraising for Jami
- Maddy Duchen: https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/maddy-duchen
- Debby