When Katie Royals crossed the finish line of her first ultra marathon, covering 31 miles through the hilly trails of Tring, she was met by cheers from her parents and an overexcited dog. Exhausted but elated, she’d just completed the toughest physical challenge of her life, raising over £3,500 for The Sick Children’s Trust.
“It was one of those moments where I thought, I can’t believe I’ve actually done this,” said Katie, who completed the challenge just days before turning 30. “It was tough, especially climbing Ivinghoe Beacon at mile 25, but knowing I was raising money for such an amazing cause kept me going.”
Katie is one of the founding members of The Sick Children’s Trust’s Voluntary Board of Ambassadors, a group of young professionals using their skills and networks to raise funds and awareness for the charity’s ‘Homes from Home’. This year, the group is raising thousands for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, which will see every pound they raise doubled through match funding.
A challenge with heart
Katie’s ultra marathon formed part of a wider 2,000-mile challenge organised by the Board of Ambassadors, who have been collectively running, walking and cycling to support families with seriously ill children in hospital. The challenge has been running from September to early December, with all donations released during Big Give week to make twice the impact.
“It’s been such a great way to get everyone involved and excited about fundraising,” explained Katie. “When people know their donations are going to be doubled it’s an extra motivator, especially for us as a new board wanting to make a real difference.”
The timing of the challenge also coincided with Katie’s 30th birthday, giving her the perfect excuse to push herself further. “I do a lot of running, usually around 40 miles a week, so if I was going to ask for donations I knew I had to do something that really challenged me,” she says. “An ultra marathon felt like the right way to mark turning 30 and raise money for a cause I care so deeply about.”
The Voluntary Board of Ambassadors and staff on a walk between two of our ‘Homes from Home’ in London.
Inspired to get involved
Katie first came across The Sick Children’s Trust through her professional connections with Wendy Walton and Matthew Spencer, members of the charity’s Development Board. After visiting one of our ‘Homes from Home’, she immediately felt inspired to do more.
“As soon as I walked into one of the houses and met the team, I knew I wanted to be part of this,” Katie recalls. “The charity’s mission is so clear and powerful. Keeping families together when a child is seriously ill just makes complete sense.”
That first visit led to conversations about how to bring younger professionals into the charity’s network, combining their skills and enthusiasm with the experience of the main board. The result was the creation of the Voluntary Board of Ambassadors earlier this year, bringing a new wave of energy for The Sick Children’s Trust’s fundraising efforts.
Making an impact together
Katie Royals
Katie’s enthusiasm for the charity has only grown stronger since joining the board. “Everyone we’ve met from The Sick Children’s Trust has been so kind and supportive,” she says. “You can see how passionate everyone is about what they do. It’s hard not to be inspired by that.”
The Board’s efforts will help provide hundreds of nights’ stays for families staying close to their seriously ill children this Christmas. For Katie, that tangible impact is what makes every mile worthwhile.
“When you’re out there running and you hit a tough patch, you think about the families who rely on The Sick Children’s Trust,” she says. “That’s what keeps you going, knowing that what you’re doing really matters.”
Double your impact this Christmas
Join Katie and the Voluntary Board of Ambassadors in making twice the difference for families with seriously ill children. During The Big Give Christmas Challenge (2–9 December 2025), every pound you give to The Sick Children’s Trust will be doubled, helping to keep even more families together when it matters most.
Find out more and donate here
