Post featured image

Local dad to run London Marathon for Sussex children’s charity supporting his son

Posted on April 1, 2026 by - Fundraising, News

A local dad is taking on the TCS London Marathon 2026 in support of Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity, the specialist charity that has played a life-changing role in supporting his young son, Digby.

Christian Fallick will run the iconic 26.2-mile challenge this April to raise vital funds for the charity, which supports children under five with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments through specialist early intervention and family support services.

For Chris, this challenge is deeply personal.

In November 2022, his second son, Digby, was born 10 weeks prematurely and spent the first eight weeks of his life in NICU and SCBU, fighting hard from the very beginning. Since then, Digby has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Despite the challenges he faces, Digby continues to meet each day with extraordinary courage, determination and joy.

“Today we celebrate our little hero, Digby. Born prematurely and later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, he faces each day with bravery, resilience and boundless energy. He brings so much joy to everyone around him. Every run I do is for him. He is my inspiration, and I hope to make him proud every step of the way.” – Chris, Digby’s Dad. 

Like many families navigating a diagnosis of cerebral palsy, Chris and his family quickly discovered how limited specialist support can be, particularly in the earliest and most crucial years of a child’s development.

That is where Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity stepped in.

“The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has been nothing short of a lifeline to us. They welcomed us even before we had a diagnosis, offering expert care, understanding and hope when we needed it most. Early intervention is everything for children with cerebral palsy. The sooner support begins, the better the long-term outcomes can be.” – Chris 

Digby now benefits from a range of specialist services provided by the charity, including Conductive Education, speech and language therapy, swimming sessions, and music therapy. The charity has also helped his nursery access the right equipment and training to support his development.

Chris added:

“The reality is that specialist support for children like Digby is very limited, with the healthcare system under so much pressure. NHS therapy can sometimes be once a month, or even once every three months. Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity has helped bridge that gap. The difference this has made to Digby’s progress, confidence and happiness has been extraordinary.”

Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on voluntary donations to continue providing its vital services free of charge to families.

Chris is aiming to raise vital funds to help more children like Digby access the specialist support they need at the earliest possible stage. This year marks the charity’s 25th anniversary, and as part of this milestone year, Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity hopes to support an additional 25 children.

“Every mile I run is for Digby, and for every child who faces challenges before they can even walk. Every pound genuinely changes lives, and I’m so grateful for any support people can give.” – Chris, Digby’s Dad

Every mile Chris runs will help children like Digby build strength, confidence and independence – giving them the best possible chance to one day take steps of their own.

To support Chris in his mission to help DVLCC transform the lives of more children, like Digby, please visit his fundraising page and follow his journey at @digdeepfordigby on Instagram.

Support Chris