A Harrogate woman has vowed to run next year's London Marathon in support of her 'amazing' younger sister who has faced various health complications.
Katie Sills, a Teaching assistant for children with SEMH needs, is taking on the historic race in April 2026 to fundraise for Kidney Care UK, all in the name of her 12-year-old sister Mabel.
Mabel has suffered with various complex medical needs, including kidney conditions, that have seen "endless" trips to the hospital.
And despite her young age, she has already had a staggering 42 surgeries.
Mabel was born prematurely at 27 weeks and spent the first 3 months of her life in hospital. But it was when she returned home she began suffering with urine infections.
It was following a visit to LGI Hospital that she was diagnosed with Nephrocalcinosis, a condition where too much calcium builds up in the kidneys.
And in support of her sister, Katie has vowed to “run through the pain, the blisters and the exhaustion” of the London Marathon.
She said:
“Running the London Marathon is my way of showing Mabel — and the world — just how much she means to me.
“There are no words strong enough to describe how proud I am of her — how fiercely brave, kind, and full of light she is, no matter what life throws her way.
“She’s the reason behind every single step I’ll take, and I’ll carry her spirit with me every mile.”
Mabel is currently fed through a peg in tummy - without which she wouldn't be here.
At 13-years-old, Katie was taught how to use the feeding pump, help with Mabel's medications and know when her tube needs venting.
Katie said:
"The endless hospital stays, surgeries, appointments, tests and scans have had a massive impact on Mabel's life and us as a family.
"To look at Mabel, unless you saw her tube, you would think she was like every other little 12-year-old - but her little body on the inside isn't.
"Her strength and fight amazes us as a family and together we get through."
To read more about Mabel’s story or to donate to Katie’s cause, visit her JustGiving page here.
Harrogate care home donates £1,000 to charity battling loneliness
Builders unearth medieval well in Ripon city centre
Knaresborough teacher to run London Marathon in aid of Henshaws
Drugs seized and two arrested in Knaresborough
Spiegeltent returns to Harrogate for summer extravaganza
Starbeck festival set to return for third year
Police appeal to locate Harrogate fuel thief
Harrogate MP set to take on London Marathon in aid of colitis charity
Expansion could add £17m to northern economy, says Harrogate Spring Water
New café to open in place of Hoxton North this week
Ripon vintage tractor run to return this weekend
Ladies lunch event raises £25,000 for Yorkshire children's hospice
Yorkshire Baby & Toddler Show Returns
Lightwater Valley officially opens 'epic' new rollercoaster
Three Harrogate boxers scoop medals at international tournament
Harrogate woman's stroke at 37 inspires fundraising drive for vital charity
Harrogate MP calls for bus and rail fares to be slashed
Kittens with rare condition 'thriving' after community donates £1,000
Weather warning for strong winds issued ahead of Easter weekend
North Yorkshire Police to roll out facial recognition technology
