Cardiff Civil Servant to Run London Marathon in Tribute to Beloved Grandfather
Rhys Morris, a 28-year-old civil servant from Cardiff, has committed to running the 2026 TCS London Marathon in honour of his grandfather, Sidney Marshall Morris, who passed away from leukaemia in February 2025 at the age of 77. The diagnosis came less than a year before his death, leaving the family devastated by the loss of a man described as the 'rock of the family'.
A Deep Bond and Fond Memories
Rhys shared a close relationship with his paternal grandad, Sidney, who was a deep-sea scuba diver and a 'typical Welsh Valleys man who loved rugby' and his dogs. He fondly recalled how Sidney would take the family out on his boat almost every Saturday, often playfully falling off the side to make everyone laugh. Into adulthood, Rhys remembered his grandad as always being 'grandad to the rescue' during emergencies, such as car battery failures or tyre changes on the roadside.
Rhys told PA Real Life: 'He was very inspirational to us all, and he was just a delight. He was the best grandad I could ask for.' Despite his active lifestyle, Sidney was known as the 'fittest man' Rhys had ever met and rarely visited a doctor until health issues emerged in late 2023.
Diagnosis and Heartbreaking Decline
Urged by his wife, Patricia, Sidney sought medical attention, leading to a leukaemia diagnosis in March 2024. Rhys described the moment he learned the news: 'I remember my dad calling me. He asked where I was, who I was with, and what I was doing. That's when I panicked because when someone starts asking me those questions, I expect the worst. I was told then that Grandad had leukaemia, and the first thing I did was burst out crying.'
Sidney underwent treatment including blood transfusions and medication, but his health deteriorated. On December 27, 2024, Rhys received a call that his grandad had taken a 'turn for the worse' and was hospitalised with a brain bleed. Rhys visited him daily for three weeks, admiring his positive spirit and joking nature with medical staff.
End-of-Life Care and Marie Curie's Support
By the end of January 2025, the family was informed that nothing more could be done, and Sidney began end-of-life care at home. During this time, Marie Curie, the UK's leading end-of-life charity, provided crucial support. Their nurses and healthcare assistants offered respite care, allowing Patricia to rest, and simple comforts like making tea or coffee. Rhys joked: 'I don't think I've ever drunk that much coffee in my life.'
Sidney passed away on February 4, 2025, with Rhys by his side. He said: 'As I walked in, I saw Nanny crying and really distraught. Then Grandad took his last breath, and I think that it was almost like he waited for me.' The funeral in March 2025 saw an 'extraordinary turnout', with Rhys honouring his grandad by wearing his cufflinks and serving as a pallbearer.
Inspired to Run for a Cause
In April 2025, Rhys saw a sponsored post on social media announcing Marie Curie as the official Charity of the Year for the London Marathon. On a whim, he applied, detailing his memories of Sidney. Within days, he received a call from Marie Curie offering him a spot. Rhys said he 'froze' but accepted immediately, then sought a running coach to help him train, starting in August 2025 after years without running.
He has since undergone gait analysis, invested in proper running gear, and focused on nutrition. Reflecting on his training, Rhys noted: 'Initially, I was finding that I could run for a while, but I was just completely ruined afterwards. And then I found that I was actually running too fast. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so I had to slow that run all the way down.'
Commemorating a Legacy
Rhys plans to commemorate his grandad during the marathon on April 26, 2026, and hopes his nanny can present his medal at the end. He believes Sidney would think he was 'absolutely crazy' for taking on the challenge, but Rhys is determined: 'I have got to do this because of what Marie Curie has done for my grandad.'
Marie Curie, in partnership with Run Your Mind, is hosting monthly run clubs from January to April for people experiencing grief, providing a supportive community for those like Rhys. This initiative underscores the charity's commitment to aiding families during difficult times.
