From One Marathon to Seven: Billy’s Journey Running for UK Youth
In April 2026, Billy will run seven marathons in seven consecutive days to raise funds for UK Youth. From 6–12 April, he will cover 183 miles, finishing with the Brighton Marathon. But this challenge is not about distance alone. It’s about ensuring every young person has access to the kind of youth work support that changed his life.
Why Billy Is Taking on 7 Marathons in 7 Days
Billy’s journey didn’t start with endurance sport. At 17, he couldn’t run across a school field without struggling. By 18, he had completed the London Marathon. That transformation was not just physical — it was personal.
Now a Geography & Environmental Science undergraduate at King’s College London, Billy has always been drawn to the extreme — frozen landscapes, endurance challenges, pushing past limits. But he says this drive was shaped by growing up in a world where young people often feel underestimated and under pressure.
“At 16, my identity was completely tied to academic success,” he explains. “I thought perfection was the goal.”
After achieving straight As and A*s at GCSE, Billy found himself burnt out and disconnected. He had lost a sense of who he was beyond his grades. That was when youth work stepped in.
How Youth Work Changed Billy’s Life
When Billy began struggling in sixth form, he was introduced to a youth worker who helped him recognise the unhealthy pressure he was placing on himself. She encouraged him to find balance, to decompress, and to step outside the relentless pursuit of perfection.
As a runner herself, she suggested running as an outlet. That conversation changed everything.
“She helped me see that perfection isn’t a virtue — it’s a disease made by the brain,” Billy says. “My youth worker believed in me before I believed in myself.”
Through youth work, Billy rebuilt his identity — not around achievement, but around authenticity. He began to understand that growth comes from showing up consistently, not from being flawless.
Thanks to youth services, he describes himself today as “a work in progress.”
From One Marathon to Seven
Training for the London Marathon in 2025 sparked something bigger than competition. Crossing the finish line was euphoric — but it came with a stark realisation.
“Nothing had changed for young people across the UK, and that has fuelled me.”
One marathon wasn’t enough. Running seven marathons in seven days is physically demanding, but for Billy, the real challenge is ensuring it creates lasting impact. What scares him most isn’t the miles — it’s the thought that the effort might not lead to meaningful change.
Day five will likely be the toughest, when fatigue sets in and support matters most. And finishing in Brighton will represent more than endurance — it will be proof that young people should never be underestimated, and that belief can change lives.
Why Youth Work Matters Now More Than Ever
Billy’s story is deeply personal – but it is not unique. Across the UK, thousands of young people are navigating rising mental health challenges, academic pressure and social isolation. In 2024, around 1 in 4 young people aged 16–24 had a probable mental disorder. At the same time, access to safe spaces, trusted adults and consistent support continues to shrink.
Without youth work, Billy believes his path could have looked very different.
“Without youth work, I may have ended up as another statistic.”
His journey is proof that when young people are given the right support at the right time, lives can change. And the impact of youth work goes far beyond one conversation or one individual.
- Youth work improves wellbeing – supporting young people’s mental health and resilience in both the short and long term.
- It creates belonging – offering safe spaces where young people feel seen, heard and valued.
- It builds confidence and life skills – helping young people develop leadership, teamwork and self-belief.
- It strengthens communities – reducing isolation and providing positive pathways forward.
- It makes economic sense – annual investment in youth work saves up to £3.2 billion through improved education, employment outcomes and positive mental health impacts.
This challenge is living proof that investing in young people works — and that the ripple effects can last a lifetime.
Follow the 7-Day Journey
Throughout 6–12 April, this page will become a live hub documenting Billy’s challenge. We’ll share daily updates including distance covered, fundraising totals, reflections from Billy, photos from the route, and ways to get involved.
Supporters will also be able to view media coverage, training highlights and Billy’s personal pledge video explaining why this challenge matters.
This Isn’t Just About Running
This isn’t about personal achievement.
It’s about showing up — for young people who feel unseen, for youth workers who believe before others do, and for a future shaped by the choices we make today.
Billy is pushing his body to its limits. But real change happens when we move together.
10 December 2025
Power of Youth Work Finally Recognised by Government’s National Youth Strategy
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