Neonatal Boss Takes on London Marathon for Tiny Lives
By Charities Correspondent
A Swindon dad is going the distance to help the UK’s tiniest patients—taking on the London Marathon to raise thousands for babies fighting for life.
Max Richards, a neonatal specialist and dad-of-three, is gearing up to join 55,000 runners at the London Marathon on 26 April 2026, with one powerful goal: to raise £2,750 for Bliss, the charity supporting premature and sick babies.
Max, who works for medical device company Vygon (UK), has spent years supporting NHS neonatal teams.
But this challenge is more than just professional—it’s personal too.
“Running the marathon for Bliss means supporting families during the toughest moments of their lives,” he said. “If we can raise even a little more awareness, it’s worth every mile.”
The Latton dad, who lives near Cirencester with his wife Jo and their three children, said he was deeply affected by the number of friends who needed neonatal care.
“We were lucky—we didn’t need that support ourselves,” he said. “But seeing what others went through, and what I see in my job, really shows how vital Bliss is.”
Bliss supports one in seven babies in the UK who need neonatal care, providing emotional and practical help to families facing incredibly difficult circumstances.
Max is no stranger to the challenge—he completed the marathon last year. But this time, he’s aiming higher, with a target finish of under four and a half hours.
“Last year was the hottest day of the year, which made it really tough,” he said. “This time, I’d love to get a personal best.”
His biggest cheerleaders—his wife, children, family and friends—will be out in force to support him on the day.
Training has been intense. Since January, Max has run around 800 kilometres, including 15 half-marathons, a full marathon and even a gruelling 100km week.
He’s trained across the UK, from the Cotswolds to the Northumbrian coast, even squeezing in runs during work trips to cities like London, Leeds and Liverpool.
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By his own estimate, he’s now run the equivalent distance from Swindon to Switzerland.
“The battle of the mind is the hardest part,” he admitted. “Staying motivated through winter isn’t easy—but it’s a huge privilege to be here when so many people didn’t get a place.”
Colleagues at Vygon have also stepped up, raising more than £700 through a cake sale, with the company boosting the total further.
“We’re close to £1,000 just from work—that means a lot,” Max said.
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With race day fast approaching, it’s not just the finish line Max is looking forward to—it’s the experience itself.
“The atmosphere is incredible,” he said. “Everyone’s there for their own reasons, but you feel part of something massive. Last year was the best thing I’ve ever done. This year, I want to enjoy it even more.”
Max’s fundraising page can be found online via JustGiving.
