We’re proud to introduce an inspiring supporter with a very personal connection to Daisy’s Dream, Francesca (Frankie) Rogers. Frankie first came to us for support at the age of 14, shortly after her mum died. That support, she says, made a lasting impact during one of the most difficult times in her life.

Now, nearly a decade on, Frankie is determined to give back in the most extraordinary way.

To mark the 10-year anniversary of her mum’s passing, Frankie has set herself the challenge of running 10 marathons in 12 months, beginning with her first on 1st June 2025 in Cork. In addition, she plans to host a charity ball on 31st May 2026, the anniversary itself, recreating a similar event she helped organise for Daisy’s Dream back in 2013.

With an ambitious fundraising target of £15,000–£20,000, Frankie’s mission is one of remembrance, resilience, and remarkable generosity. Every mile she runs will not only honour her mum’s memory but also raise vital funds to support bereaved children and families across our community.

We’re incredibly honoured to be part of Frankie’s journey. We recently caught up with her to find out more about her story, her challenge, and what’s driving her to take on this inspiring feat:

Personal Connection

You used Daisy’s Dream’s services after the loss of your Mum. How did we support you during that time?

I was 16 and in the middle of my GCSEs when I first started receiving support from Daisy’s Dream, about a year and a half after losing my mum. It was actually my school that helped arrange it after I reached out for support with managing my grief. I had one-on-one sessions with Gill Stevens, held during the school day. I’d tried counselling before and hadn’t found it helpful, but working with Gill was completely different. She was trained specifically in grief support for children and young people, and that made all the difference.

What difference did that support make to you personally as a young person managing grief?

The hardest part of grieving at that age was how isolating it felt. At 14 to 16, none of my friends could relate to the experience of losing a parent which made it incredibly difficult to talk openly. With Gill and Daisy’s Dream, I finally had a safe space where I could say exactly what I needed to, without having to hold anything back. Gill always responded in a way that made me feel understood and supported. She just got it.

The Challenge

Running 10 marathons over a year is no small feat. How are you feeling ahead of this challenge?

Honestly, I’m a bit nervous. Mainly about the risk of injury stopping me from completing the challenge, rather than the marathons themselves. But overall, I’m really excited to get going. This has been over a year in the making, and I’m ready to take it on!

Do you have any previous running experience, or is this a whole new venture for you?

I’ve always enjoyed running. I did quite a bit of cross country and orienteering as a kid, and I picked it up again during the pandemic in 2020. Since then, I’ve been running on and off. I’ve completed two half marathons; one in 2020 without any training, and another last year where I trained and ran
around London. I’ve never actually entered an official race though, so the structured event side of this is totally new for me!

 

What do you think will keep you motivated throughout the year?

Honestly, just remembering why I’m doing this. Each marathon represents one year since my mum passed — ten marathons for ten years. It’s deeply personal. I get emotional on probably 80% of my runs just thinking about what they mean to me.

 

Fundraising & Community

You’re aiming to raise a phenomenal £15,000–£20,000. How can people get involved and support you?

There are lots of ways people can get involved: Donate, run with me, or come cheer me on at different locations throughout the year. You can also follow the journey on Instagram: @10for10years.

If someone reading this is grieving or thinking of fundraising in memory of a loved one, what would you say to encourage them?

To anyone grieving, especially if you’re between 12 and 16, I want you to know that you’re not alone, and things will get better. And to anyone considering fundraising in memory of someone they love: do it. Make it meaningful, make it challenging. It’s one of the most powerful ways you can honour their memory.

Support Frankie and sponsor her journey here: Francesca Rogers is fundraising for Daisy’s Dream