Exeter five-year-old to take on Santa Run to support Crohn’s & Colitis UK

A five-year-old girl from Exeter will be joining hundreds of participants in this year’s Exeter’s Santa Run, which is raising money for Crohn’s and Colitis UK after being inspired by her family’s own experience with the illness. 

Maddie, who only started running earlier this year, will take part in the festive event alongside her dad. Since September 2024, she has regularly completed 2km junior park runs and recently progressed to 5km distances, achieving a personal best of 32 minutes and 54 seconds. 

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Maddie’s mum, Ellis Russell, told Exeter Today that Maddie “quickly found a love for running and got her dad involved to run with her.” 

Adding to this, Ellis said: “My husband is an Exeter City fan and due to his and Maddie’s love of running, he thought that the Santa Run would be a fantastic opportunity for them both.”

“I suffer with ulcerative colitis and actually had to have my large bowel removed in 2007. Recently, I had a complication with my health and I was admitted to the RD&E for some support. While in there, we discovered that the Exeter City player Jack Fitzwater was supporting the Know Your Sh*t campaign – the leading doctor is my doctor too, Professor Tariq Ahmad.”

“Later in the year, my husband and Dad are running the Great West Run for Crohn’s and Colitis UK. Maddie was part of a conversation around this and from that and from watching an episode of Paddington Bear, she asked if she could run for charity too.”

“My husband, Mark, contacted the Exeter City Community Trust and spoke to Daniel who thought this sounded like a great idea and from there the idea was born. So far she has raised over £215 for the charity and in the spring term will be working with her school to raise further funds.”

Speaking on Maddie’s upcoming achievements, Ellis continued: “We are incredibly proud of her; she truly is the kindest, most selfless and caring young person and we hope to continue to foster her love for running and helping others.”

The Exeter Santa Run, organised by Exeter City Community Trust, will take place in the city centre and sees participants dressed in Santa suits running to raise money for charities of their choice. Maddie has already raised more than £215 and plans to continue her fundraising efforts with support from her school in the spring term.

Residents can follow her journey on Instagram at @run_maddie_run.6.

Organisers say they hope more young people will follow Maddie’s example by supporting causes that matter to them.