A SOLIHULL music teacher is lacing up her running shoes, as she prepares to take on the 2025 London Marathon.
Kate Turner will be taking to the start line on April 27 to take on the 26.2mile course around the capital in aid of Music in Hospitals and Care which sees professional musicians take live music into hospitals and care home who may not otherwise get to experience it.
Kate, who manages Solihull Music School, has always had a deep personal connection to music and its transformative power.
After studying music at university in Edinburgh, she dedicated her career to teaching, inspiring students of all ages to find joy through music.
And now, she’s combining her passion for music with her love of running to make a meaningful difference.
She said: “I run a Yamaha music school in Solihull, and I thought I could really raise some money through my work.
“We have lots of students and parents coming in, and I hoped they would feel the same way I do about the joy of music and what it can do for people.”
Kate has been actively fundraising in her local community, rallying support from businesses across Solihull.
Thanks to their generosity – and a major boost from Yamaha – she has already reached her fundraising target.
A seasoned runner, Kate has been training hard for the marathon and is excited for the challenge ahead.
She first started running half marathons a few years ago as a way to unwind and take time for herself.
Kate said: “Around two or three years ago, I began running the occasional half marathon purely for my own enjoyment.
“It became a way to escape from everyday life.
“Being out in the fresh air, on my own, doing something just for myself – it’s something I truly enjoy.
“I think running is just a great way to kind of get away from things and do something for yourself and your own mental health.”
For Kate, music and running share a common thread: both offer an escape and a sense of achievement.
She said: “Learning a new piece of music is a lot like running – you’re constantly reaching new milestones.
“That’s what drew me to Music in Hospitals and Care in the first place. When you’re going through tough times, having moments where you can forget everything and simply enjoy music is so important.
“My advice for anybody fundraising is to get the word out about what the charity does and why you feel it’s a worthy cause. I think that’s why I didn’t want to just to apply to any charity. It had to be something that I truly believed in.”
