From Poundbury to the London Marathon

Perseverance, determination, and endurance

When Jesse Coggins was born in February 2018, his parents Tom and Lisa's world changed in ways they hadn't anticipated. A few weeks after his arrival, Jesse was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Like many families in that moment, they turned to the Down Syndrome Association (DSA) for help — and found it in abundance. The DSA offered guidance, practical support, and a community when the family needed it most. Running the London Marathon for them, eight years later, was Tom's way of saying thank you.

Tom with Daughter Holly

Credit: The Coggins Family

It wasn't a straightforward journey to the start line. Tom had entered the London Marathon ballot repeatedly over the years, without success. In 2024 he applied for a DSA charity place, which required writing an essay making the case for why he should be chosen. His essay was selected, and he was in, for the 2025 race.

Training began immediately and with real commitment. Tom tackled a formidable programme of events — Brighton, the Giants Head Sydling, the Cornish Marathon, the North Dorset Marathon, and numerous half marathons — building steadily towards the big day. Then, in March 2025, injury forced him to withdraw. His guaranteed place was deferred to 2026.

Rather than let the setback derail him, Tom worked with a sports therapist, adjusted his training programme, took up yoga and strength conditioning alongside his running, and came back stronger. On Sunday 26th April 2026, he crossed the London Marathon finish line in 3 hours, 16 minutes and 9 seconds — a remarkable achievement!

He raised £7,940 for the DSA through his JustGiving page. Across all 25 runners representing the DSA on the day, the team collectively raised an extraordinary £110,000 — funds that will go directly to supporting families like Jesse's across the country.

Tom, Senior Quantity Surveyor for CAofP sponsor CG Fry & Son, is also a trained Pan-Disability football coach, giving up every Saturday morning to coach children with disabilities at the Hush Tigers in Taunton. By all accounts, the children love it!

Jesse at Football Training

Credit: The Coggins Family

Looking for support or want to support families in Dorset living with Down Syndrome?

Two local organisations are doing vital work right here in our community:

Shine 21 Dorset Down Syndrome Buddy Club is a parent-run group organising social activities, family days out, and a baby group called Little Shiners for new families, building friendships and practical life skills for children with Down Syndrome across Dorset. Get in touch at hello@shine21dorset.co.uk.

Downright Perfect supports children with Down Syndrome and their families across Dorset through financial grants for therapies and resources, as well as regular groups and events for parents.

Reach them at hello@downrightperfect.org.

This story was shared with us by Paul Coggins — Jesse's grandfather, and one of our dedicated CAofP volunteers. Thank you, Paul, for making sure Tom's achievement didn't go unsung.