Caroline Tudor-James, CEO of the Rainbow Foundation, will run the 2026 London Marathon to raise funds to support the charity’s work with older people across Wrexham. On the same day, Trustee Liz Carnie, also turning 50 this year, will take on the Wrexham 10K, promoting the message that movement matters at every age.

Caroline and Liz are encouraging residents, community groups, workplaces and volunteers to join the Rainbow Foundation team in this year’s Wrexham 10K, whether running, jogging or walking, to show what positive ageing can look like in real life.

Caroline Tudor-James said: “I still feel about 30 in my head, but hitting 50 has come with a few changes; perimenopause, arthritis in my knees, and the natural changes that come after raising three children. I’ve never been a runner and never liked sport, so taking on the London Marathon honestly makes me feel a bit sick when I think about it. But I’m also inspired by the people we work with every day, and I don’t want to talk about ageing well without doing my best to live it.”

“Through our Active Futures and Fit Futures programmes, I’ve seen people rebuild strength and confidence in ways that genuinely change their lives. Jeffrey, at 70, went from struggling to walk short distances to completing the Wrexham 10K. Patricia never believed she could run at all and she finished the 10K after taking part in our Changing Habits for Life programme. They’re not running this year, but what they achieved shows what steady, determined progress can look like.”

“Liz and I will be thinking about them, and many others, when we face our own challenges this year. We’d love people across Wrexham to join us — however fast or slow — and help build a community where staying active and ageing well feels possible for more of us.”

Liz Carnie added “I was never a fan of running and was always last at cross country at school, but as I get older, I realise that keeping active is good for both my physical and mental health. After the loss of my mother 18 months ago a good friend encouraged me to complete the couch to 5k and join a local running club. Running with friends and having regular routine has been great and I now look forward to it each week. This is the second time I will run the Wrexham 10k for Rainbow and I am proud to represent them again and am inspired by the impact they have on the wellbeing of the local community”.

If you’d like to sponsor Caroline and Liz as they take on their challenges, donations can be made via JustGiving to support the Rainbow Foundation’s work: www.justgiving.com/charity/therainbowfoundation. Every contribution helps older people across Northeast Wales stay active, connected, and independent.