Runners pick up the gauntlet for Jewish Care and Jami

April 28, 2025

On Sunday, twelve runners completed the 26.2-mile challenge, as part of the TCS London Marathon, in support of Jewish Care and Jami, now part of Jewish Care, raising £50,000. Seven ran for Jewish Care, the largest health and social care charity for the Jewish community in London and the South East, and five ran for Jami, supporting people living with mental illness and distress in the Jewish community from the age of 11.

Among these inspiring athletes is Max Bailey, one of the youngest participants in this year’s TCS London Marathon, having celebrated his 18th birthday only just last week. Max says, “I saw an interview with the world’s youngest marathon runner last year and I was thinking, that could be me next year. Being the youngest, or at least one of the youngest participants, has made the whole experience even more special and that much more incredible.”

Max never lost sight of why he was running the marathon. As the JCoSS student explains, he chose to run for Jami because his girlfriend of two years received support from Jami’s Dangoor Children and Young Person’s Service, and it really helped her. Max says he also knows others who struggle with their mental health. After Max’s successful first ever marathon in only 4 hours 43 minutes 51 seconds, his mum shares, “Max we are so proud of you. You looked so happy, and it’s just the best feeling ever. On to the next one!” Max’s twin brother adds, “I’ve never been prouder of Max, I’m glad that he’s doing it, so I don’t have to!”

Sam Steinberg ran the London Marathon in honour of his grandpa Martin and to support the incredible care he receives at Jewish Care. Martin Steinberg is a former marathon runner himself! He now lives at Jewish Care’s Otto Schiff home in Golders Green, where he has been supported with love and dignity through his journey with dementia.

Sam says, “Since my grandpa received a dementia diagnosis, I am doing all I can to bring him joy. We’ve always had an amazing relationship and always been very close. Whenever I tell him I’m running the marathon for him and Jewish Care, he smiles to himself, and I can see the pride in his face. It’s amazing!” Sam is not the first in the family to take after his grandpa. The baton was first picked up by Sam’s brother, Jamie, who ran the marathon last year in aid of Jewish Care. Both Sam and Jamie have felt that it’s important to give back to the organisation that has been providing such amazing care to their grandpa. Jamie Steinberg shares, “We can’t express how grateful we are to this amazing charity.” Sam Steinberg shares, “Crossing the finish line was one of the best moments of my life! I’m so happy to have completed the challenge, especially in the heat, and also to have reached my target and raise over £6.5K for Jewish Care.”

Joe Klein ran the marathon for the first time in aid of Jewish Care. It is a charity close to his and his family’s heart, and he has always felt inspired by his parents’ long-standing involvement in the organisation. He attended Sinclair House as a teenager and comes to the YJJC charity dinner annually to support both Jewish Care and Jami. Joe says, “The marathon is an opportunity for me to give back and to stand proud of my identity.” After completing the race in an impressive 3 hour 20 minutes 50 seconds, Joe shares, “It was one of the best days of my life, exceeding all expectations. So proud to have run for Jewish Care.”

Alfie Keene ran for Jami in memory of his dad, Saul Keene. Jewish Care has always played a pivotal role in Alfie’s life. It’s where his parents first met, where Alfie spent his summers as a child at Summerworld, at what was then Sinclair House, and where his grandma, Nettie Keene, was a dedicated volunteer for five decades and is now a member of Redbridge Jewish Community Centre. After Saul passed away in 2008, Nettie established The Saul Keene Award for Excellence at Jewish Care’s annual MIKE youth leadership awards in Redbridge, which she has presented annually, along with Alfie’s uncle Danny, in recognition of the achievements of future young leaders in the community. After Alfie lost his dad, Jewish Care became a vital source of support for him and his family. Since Jami joined the Jewish Care family, Alfie says “Completing the marathon and crossing the finish line was an immense feeling of relief and joy. The entire day was incredible, and the atmosphere was electric, and of course when it got tough, I thought about the work Jewish Care and Jami do to push me through until the end. Jami’s work to support both young people and adults with mental health issues is so important. The marathon was a tough challenge, but it doesn’t come close to the challenges that people with mental illness and distress face every day.”

Rachel Turek, who took on her first marathon for her sister, Talia, in aid of Jami, said, “It was ten times harder than I thought it would be, and my legs are in a world of pain today, but it was amazing. I had all my family there and the crowds were incredible. I honestly loved every second of it and I actually would do it again. It felt really good to prove to myself that I could do something so challenging, and it was really special.”

Rachel completed the marathon in 6 hours, 40 minutes and 23 seconds. She says, “My timing was a lot slower than I thought it would be as the heat didn’t help. I think I started off a bit too fast because of the adrenaline rush at the beginning, but the second half went much quicker because the heat went down, it became much easier.”

Talia’s mental illness has kept her in hospital for the past six years, but on Sunday, the day of the marathon, she moved to an assisted living apartment. This meaningful coincidence marked a new beginning for them both. Rachel’s dad has been supported by one of the many carers’ groups that Jami runs to help families and carers looking after someone with mental illness. Rachel, who is a Great Ormond Street Hospital nurse and has her own physical health challenges, began training in December for what will be her first marathon.

Jewish Care’s Director of Fundraising & Marketing, Ellisa Estrin, says, “We’re 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 to support our services for children and adults in the community.”

For those who feel inspired to run for Jewish Care and Jami or take up a challenge, whether it is to remember a close relative or friend who has been cared for by Jewish Care or Jami, or to simply get behind a good cause, set yourself a goal as it can be a great way to help you stay motivated to exercise and get fitter, while also helping others.

If you’ve been inspired by their remarkable achievement and would like to run in support of Jewish Care or Jami in the 2026 TCS London Marathon, you can enter the ballot here: tcslondonmarathon.com/enter/how-to-enter/ballot-entry

If you would like to register your interest in running for Jewish Care or Jami in 2026, please visit: jewishcare.org/jc-events/tcs-london-marathon-2026

If you need support or are supporting someone who needs help, visit https://jamiuk.org/get-support/ or contact 020 8458 2223.

If you are struggling to cope or need immediate help, contact Shout’s 24/7 crisis text service. Text Jami to 85258 for free, confidential support. For information advice and support you can also contact Jewish Care Direct helpline at helpline@jcare.org or call 020 0922 2222.

Runners	Jewish Care/Jami	Finish time
Sam Steinberg	Jewish Care	04:01:41
Scarlett Anders	Jewish Care	05:06:51
Joe Klein	Jewish Care	03:20:50
Charlotte Linton	Jewish Care	05:16:45
Edward Gilbert	Jewish Care	04:57:19
Tristan Nagler	Jewish Care	04:03:30
Edan Marks	Jewish Care	03:15:26
Rachel Turek	Jami	06:40:23
Timothy Cole	Jami	04:31:30
Max Bailey	Jami	04:43:51
Jack Gilbert	Jami	03:46:47
Alfie Keene	Jami	04:45:48