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Harrogate woman to run marathon in support of 'amazing' sister

Monday, 21 July 2025 08:58

Katie Sills (right) and her sister Mabel.

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.

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