They did it! Stephan and Chloe take on marathon distance – 26 times over!

What a day! I’m so glad we did what we did, another fantastic journey for us all, looking forward to the next one!

Father and daughter duo Stephan (57) and Chloe Couture (15), otherwise known as ‘Team Ladybugs’, finished their challenge to complete the equivalent of running 26 marathons for 26 charities, including the British Tinnitus Association (BTA), when they finished in style with the Virtual London Marathon. Tinnitus is a debilitating condition that affects 63,000 adults in Warwickshire alone, and one in eight nationwide.

Stephan and Chloe, from Hurley near Atherstone in Warwickshire, have been up and down the UK this summer completing 5ks, 10ks, triathlons and virtual marathons, to raise awareness and funds for several different charities and have covered 793 miles, smashing their 681 miles target. Chloe, who was born with cerebral palsy and is registered visually impaired, takes part with the help of her dad Stephan, who pushes her racing wheelchair on the runs.

Stephan shared, “We had a great time doing the marathon, had great weather to start with and managed our first half in 1h 53m, then the weather broke and we had torrential down pours! We managed to do our top swops and juggle everything else. We had an awesome time, Chloe was full of life and didn't mind all the changes and disruption caused with the weather. What a day! I’m so glad we did what we did, another fantastic journey for us all, looking forward to the next one!”

The British Tinnitus Association’s vision is “A world where no one suffers from tinnitus” which Stephan fully supports. As well as raising vital funds for tinnitus research and support, Stephan will also be raising funds for a number of other charities that have supported his family and friends.

The BTA’s Fundraising Officer Jess Pollard commented “It was an incredible achievement from Team Ladybugs! We’re delighted that Stephan and Chloe chose our charity as one of the 26 to represent throughout their gruelling challenge. Thank you so much!”

Please help Stephan and Chloe celebrate their outstanding achievement by donating at www.tinnitus.org.uk/donate or call 0114 250 9933 to make a donation over the phone. Want to take on your own challenge? Email British Tinnitus Association is an independent charity and the primary source of information for people with tinnitus. It helps to facilitate an improved quality of life for people with tinnitus through a range of support options including support groups, a helpline and its website, while also taking steps to bring forward the day when tinnitus is cured. The charity works to inform and educate medical professionals and the community on what tinnitus is and how to manage it. The British Tinnitus Association wants “a world where no one suffers from tinnitus”. It wants to find better ways to manage tinnitus and, ultimately, to help find a cure. In 2020, the publication of its Tinnitus Manifesto led to more than 120,000 people signing a petition for more funding for tinnitus research to find cures.