Jonathan & Lydia's story
Eczema isn't just a skin condition. Alongside the sleepless nights and relentless itching, it can shape entire families, from healthcare appointments to the smallest daily routines.
Jonathan and Lydia's youngest daughter, Lyra, developed severe eczema when she was just three months old. This September, this couple are taking on the Great North Run together in support of Eczema UK, and they asked to share their story with us.
A Family Shaped by Eczema
We're Jonathan and Lydia, parents to two children, and this September we'll be taking on the Great North Run together in support of Eczema UK.
We've always been fairly active, but we soon realised that training for a half marathon is a different proposition entirely, made all the more daunting when you have two children, full-time jobs and the general chaos that comes with family life.
Our reason for taking on the challenge is very personal. Our youngest daughter, Lyra, developed severe eczema when she was just three months old. We've experienced the sleepless nights, the constant itching and scratching, the infections, hospital visits, antibiotics and full-body treatments. We've seen her wake up with blood on her sheets and clothes, and we've watched her become distressed because she simply can't escape the itching.
As parents, one of the hardest things is knowing that you can't just make it better. You spend so much time trying different treatments and making changes at home, hoping that the next thing will bring some relief. At the same time, you're navigating a healthcare system where getting specialist support can take months.
So we decided to turn something difficult into something positive. The Great North Run gives us a chance to challenge ourselves, raise money and, most importantly, raise awareness of a condition that affects millions of people but is still often misunderstood.
Training as a Family
Training with two children has definitely tested us. Runs have had to fit around work, nursery, childcare and bedtime routines. There have been early mornings, tired legs and plenty of conversations about who is going to look after the children while the other one gets a run in. At times, simply finding an hour to exercise has felt like an achievement in itself.
But doing it together has made a huge difference. We've encouraged each other through the difficult runs, celebrated the good ones and reminded each other why we're doing it when motivation has been lacking.
Running for Lyra and Eczema UK
On race day, whatever our finishing time, we'll be proud to cross that line together. We're running for Lyra, for everyone living with eczema, and for Eczema UK's work to make sure families like ours have better information, better support and, ultimately, better treatments.
Looking ahead, we'd love to take on a future event as part of a wider Eczema UK team. If you're interested in joining us or fundraising alongside other families, please get in touch to discuss.
We wish Jonathan and Lydia the best of luck and thank them for sharing their story with us.