“We Are Forever Indebted to Whizz Kidz”: Garry’s Marathon for His Daughter, Sophia

After a break from running due to injury, Garry Leechis back—and this time, he's running the 2025 London Marathon for a cause that’s deeply personal: Whizz Kidz.

Garry has supported many charities over the years—Maggie’s, Cancer Research UK, Ronald McDonald House, Noah’s Ark, NSPCC—but running for Whizz Kidz has always been on his heart.

“This one’s different,” Garry shares. “I’ve always wanted to run for Whizz Kidz. They provide vital services for young wheelchair users, and I’ve seen firsthand how much they change lives—especially my daughter’s.”

Garry’s daughter, Sophia, lives with an ultra-rare form of skeletal dysplasia—so rare, in fact, she’s the only girl in the UK diagnosed with it. The condition affects her entire skeletal system, causing lifelong pain, countless surgeries, and the need for a wheelchair.

“When Sophia was first diagnosed, we were lost,” Garry says. “We didn’t know where to turn or what kind of future she could have. That’s when we found Whizz Kidz. They became our light at the end of a very dark tunnel.”

Sophia was crawling around the house, unable to walk, and being pushed in a pram outside. That changed when Whizz Kidz provided her with a bespoke wheelchair.

“I still remember her smile, the laughter, the joy the first time she used it,” Garry recalls. “From that moment on, our happy, fun-loving princess was back.”

Since then, Whizz Kidz has opened a world of opportunities to Sophia. “We never imagined she’d be able to surf—she’s done it. Ski—done it. Drive a racing car—done it. Ice skate—you guessed it, done it,” Garry smiles. “All made possible by Whizz Kidz.”

But it’s not just about adventures. “They gave Sophia a motorised wheelchair when she needed independence at school and with friends. It was a game-changer. It gave her confidence, freedom, and dignity.”

What’s just as powerful, Garry says, is the community and emotional support Whizz Kidz provides to families like his.

“When we meet other families at events, we get to share our stories, our struggles, our joys. We don’t feel alone. And for Sophia—her words, not mine—‘I feel normal.’ That’s everything.”

“To see her feel like she fits in, like she’s not different—that’s what Whizz Kidz does,” Garry says. “It’s changed her outlook on life. She’s more determined than ever to live the life she deserves.”

Now, Garry’s putting one foot in front of the other to give back to the charity that gave his family so much.

“We are forever indebted to Whizz Kidz for what you’ve all done for us as a family,” he says. “I really can’t thank Whizz Kidz enough for changing our families lives by just saying thank you so this is mine and my families way of giving back to a charity that is so worthy a million times over.”

To other runners supporting Whizz Kidz, Garry adds:

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. You’re making a huge difference in people’s lives. Without you, Sophia would still be self-propelling in a NHS wheelchair and missing out on the chance to just feel like a normal kid.”

As for marathon day and when the run gets tough, Garry offers this advice:

“There’ll be moments when you hit the wall. Think of Sophia. Think of the thousands of young people you're helping. That’s what will carry you through.”