When Vanessa Ashworth signed up for the 2025 TCS London Marathon, she wasn’t just taking on 26.2 miles – she was doing it for very specific young people she cares about deeply.
Armed with a duck costume and boundless determination, Vanessa completed one of the world’s most iconic endurance events and raised vital funds for Haines House, a residential home for children and young people run by the Together Trust, where she is a former Senior Residential Social Care Worker.
She now brings that same commitment to her role as a Specialist Community Support Worker at Lymbridge Drive, one of the Together Trust’s supported living services.
When the opportunity arose to run the London Marathon and raise money for Haines House, Vanessa didn’t hesitate – even if, as she puts it, “it was a waddle really rather than a run”.
Running for a reason
“I chose to raise funds for Haines House and the Together Trust as I was part of the team who supported the kids,” Vanessa explains. “I knew they could use the money to fund something we could all agree would be beneficial to them.”
Every penny raised went directly to the young people she works with – this was personal.
Fundraising: A team effort
Raising money wasn’t without its challenges. Vanessa found that, with the cost of living affecting so many people, asking for donations wasn’t easy.
“I struggled fundraising as times are hard for all,” she says. “Family and friends contributed, staff I work with contributed, and even an agency we used gave, which was great.”
When she was just £42 short of her target, Vanessa got creative – selling some of her clothes on Vinted and accepting a final contribution from her mum to reach the finish line financially, before she’d even laced up her trainers on race day.
Race day: A celebrity in a duck suit
Dressed in a duck costume, Vanessa became something of a celebrity on the course.
“Everyone was shouting ‘Come on the Duck!’ and lots of people and children were asking for selfies,” she recalls.
Spotting her daughter Britt and partner Phil at the Cutty Sark and again on London Bridge were highlights – as were the children lining the route handing out sweets. “I wish I could have had a sign saying ‘£1 a selfie’ – I could have raised a lot more money!” she laughs.
The final six miles
By mile 20, lactic acid had set into Vanessa’s legs. Her daughter, son-in-law, and boyfriend joined her on the course and walked the final six miles by her side. “Quite emotional — even now I can’t believe I did it,” she says. She crossed the line, lost three toenails, and says she would absolutely do it again.
“Vanessa and the Duck did it – we waddled the course but got there in the end. Yep, we feel fantastic.”
Reaching her fundraising target meant everything – not because of the number, but because of what it means for the young people at Haines House.
For anyone considering taking on the London Marathon, Vanessa’s advice is simple: “Yes, do it. It is an amazing event and it really does make you feel amazing, especially when you cross the finish line.”
She thanks the Together Trust for the opportunity, everyone who donated, and the children along the route who kept her – and the duck – going.
Vanessa Ashworth is a Specialist Community Support Worker at Lymbridge Drive and a former Senior Residential Social Care Worker at Haines House, both services of the Together Trust.
