A Dawlish woman who grew up in the care system is running the London Marathon in April to raise money for a local charity that supports vulnerable young people as they enter adulthood.

Shannon Izod has taken part in every single fundraising event offered by Newton Abbot charity Life Chance Trust because she believes the organisation would have changed her sister’s life if it had been around ten years ago.

Although Shannon and her sister were lucky enough to be adopted, the impact of their earlier life experiences resulted in Shannon’s sister developing issues with attachment and abandonment and she ended up back in the care system. ‘She felt she had no one for support, no one to listen or help her, she got into debt and was miserable and alone,’ Shannon explained. ‘If Life Chance Trust had been around ten years ago, it would have changed my sister’s life,’ she added. ‘Dedicated volunteers take time out to help and support young people like my sister and show them love and teach them the ways of life.’

Shannon started running three years ago. ‘I was playing rugby, and we did a fitness test that showed I was the most unfit of all of us,’ she recalled. ‘I decided I had to change, so I started ‘Couch to 5k’.’ she added. She then signed up for the Plymouth Half Marathon and two years later she still loves running.

‘I enjoy setting myself challenges and seeing what I am capable of. The London Marathon is such a great way to achieve something I never thought possible.’

Life Chance Trust supports 16-25 year-olds who have complex life histories and a background of childhood trauma. The charity provides one-to-one mentoring and life skills workshops to support vulnerable young people to take their next steps in life.

To support Shannon’s marathon effort to raise money for Life Chance Trust visit: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/Shannon-s-London-Marathon-2025