None of our vital services would be possible without the generosity of our incredible supporters, including kidney doctors, dialysis nurses and kidney dieitians.

We spoke with five amazing healthcare professionals about their experiences fundraising and what motivated them raise money for Kidney Care UK.

If you feel inspired to take fundraiser for Kidney Care UK (it doesn't have to be a marathon!) head to our get involved page to find out more.

Marc is a consultant anaesthetist. He ran the London Marathon 2026 for Kidney Care UK

"I am a consultant anaesthetist and the lead anaesthetist for the kidney transplant team at a large teaching hospital in London. My day-to-day role involves looking after patients having a wide variety of surgeries and being involved in the assessment and planning for potential kidney transplant recipients. I have always been passionate about the life-changing role that organ donation and transplantation plays in the management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

"I really enjoy the close team-working with my colleagues involved in kidney transplantation, especially the surgeons, nephrologists and specialist nurses. There is nothing more satisfying than getting someone safely through a kidney transplant and seeing the life-changing impact on them and their families. I was part of the team involved in doing the first kidney transplant in London after the first Covid-19 lockdown when the whole transplant programme was put on hold.

"I often refer my patients to Kidney Care UK as they do an amazing job supporting patients and their families. Kidney Care UK are a fantastic charity that I really admire, so running the London Marathon 2026 and fundraising felt like a great way to support the work that the charity does."

Tadala is a renal dietitian and she raised money for Kidney Care UK by doing a sponsored skydive

"I support people living with kidney disease to manage their condition through diet. My role involves reviewing patients’ blood results and providing tailored dietary advice based on what their body needs at that time. I love him individualised my role is, no two patients are the same.

"A big part of my work focuses on making sure patients do not feel overly restricted or like they have to completely change who they are. I am particularly passionate about supporting people to continue enjoying their cultural foods, adapting them where needed, rather than removing them altogether. What has kept me in renal for over 10 years is the patients and the journey I go on with patients. It is a specialty where you can make a long-term impact, and that is what has made me stay.

"I chose to fundraise for Kidney Care UK because I see first-hand the impact of the work the charity does, and it is invaluable. What really stands out to me is how Kidney Care UK respond to real patient needs. From peer support groups to patient resources, and even funding grants for clinicians to carry out meaningful work, their impact is wide reaching. I have also had the opportunity to work with them on projects like the Kidney Kitchen recipe magazines, and I have seen the level of care and thought that goes into making sure resources are inclusive and meet the needs of diverse patient groups.

"For me, it was a no brainer. If they are doing so much to support my patients, then fundraising is one way I can help ensure they have the resources to continue that work, because none of it happens without funding.

"I did a skydive, which was definitely a big step outside of my comfort zone. The best part was the adrenaline rush, but more than that, it was the conversations it created. When I was reaching out to family, friends, and colleagues, people could see how passionate I am about kidney disease, that I would be willing to literally jump out of a plane to support patients.

"For me, fundraising was not just about the money but also about raising awareness. Even people who could not donate were engaging with the message, learning more about the condition, and sharing it.

"The more we talk about kidney disease, the more people understand it and the more people we have fundraising, the more communities and networks we are able to reach. Everyone brings a different audience, a different voice, and a different level of influence. So collectively, we can spread the message much further and ensure that both awareness and support continue to grow."

Eleanor is a renal assistant practitioner. She raised money for Kidney Care UK by hosting a stall and raffle for World Kidney Day 2026

"I started in the Belford Hospital a good number of years ago as a domestic, cleaning the renal unit. Over time and in discussion with the Senior Nurse, I learnt more about dialysis and the treatment delivered in the unit and I applied for a post within the team. I started as a healthcare assistant before being given the opportunity to progress to my current role as a renal assistant practitioner, delivering haemodialysis treatment to patients and organising and promoting World Kidney Day in the hospital every year.

"I have a personal relationship with CKD. I have family affected by diabetes, CKD and renal failure and I am so passionate about promoting kidney care. Working in a small local renal unit, it is a subject that I have experienced from both sides, dealing with family affected through work and the patients. The best part of my job is feeling that I am making a difference to patients’ lives, engaging with them and having a great team around to help.

"Every year I organise a stall and hold raffles in the hospital to raise funds for the Belford Renal Patients Endowment Fund and to raise awareness and promote kidney health on World Kidney Day. In 2026, after I attended the Kidney Care UK stall at the Scottish Renal Association Conference where I was provided with information and collection tins and spoke with their staff, I decided to split the raffle money with Kidney Care UK.

"I would definitely recommend others consider fundraising. I see first-hand how CKD affects people’s lives and health and Kidney Care UK do an amazing job raising awareness and helping to identify those most at risk and encouraging them to get tested. The size of the task is immense, and this does not come cheap. Every donation helps."

Emma is renal unit manager who ran the London Marathon in 2025 and 2026 to raise money for Kidney Care UK

"I am manager of two acute and chronic dialysis units; I have been a registered nurse for 20 years and worked as a dialysis nurse my whole career, starting as a nurse and progressing from sister to deputy manager to manager. I love the fact we get to see most of our patients regularly and get to know them; we treat and call our patients and staff our renal family. I try to make the 150 patients and 80 staff around me feel as valued and cared for as I possibly can.

"When I first started working in a dialysis unit 20 years ago I never thought dad would end up needing dialysis, but he went into kidney failure and started in-centre haemodialysis nearly 18 months ago. I really understand what families of dialysis patients go through now.

"I decided to fundraise and run the London Marathon 2025 and 2026 for Kidney Care UK because they are an amazing charity who help so many patients and families. I would absolutely recommend anyone else who wants to make a difference tries fundraising too. It doesn't have to be a marathon! My parents are in a country vintage club (old tractors and machinery), so to raise money we held a show with tractors, old machinery, dog show, cakes sales, raffles, plant sales."

Anna is practice educator who took part in the Great South Run 2025 with her colleagues Natalie and Nicky

"As a practice educator at the Wessex Kidney Centre, I support and develop the renal workforce through education, training and clinical guidance and help staff members build the skills and confidence they need to provide the best possible care for kidney patients. Between us, Natalie, Nicky and I have nearly 70 years of renal experience, and we are passionate about sharing that knowledge with others.

"Over the years, we have all built strong connections with patients and families affected by CKD. Working in kidney care is unique because you often support patients over many years and become part of their journey. We were drawn to the specialty because of the strong patient relationships, the variety within kidney care, and the opportunity to make a real difference to people living with long-term conditions.

"The best part of our role is supporting both patients and staff. Seeing staff grow in confidence and knowledge, while also knowing that better education leads to better patient care, is incredibly rewarding. We also value being part of such a supportive and dedicated kidney community.

"People are often surprised by just how varied kidney care is. It involves much more than dialysis; it includes prevention, transplantation, home therapies, acute care, education and long-term patient support. No two days are ever the same.

"We decided to fundraise for Kidney Care UK because we wanted to give something back to a charity that does incredible work supporting people emotionally, practically and financially, and we felt fundraising was a meaningful way to show our support for the kidney community. Kidney Care UK have also helped us with educating staff.

"The best part of fundraising was completing the event together as a team and knowing we were raising awareness and funds for such an important cause. The support and encouragement from colleagues, friends and the community along the way made it even more special."