After attending a marathon to support friends, Hannah was inspired to start running herself. Now, she’s taking on the Great South Run in support of the National Eczema Society, determined to raise awareness of a condition she’s lived with since birth.
“I knew if I was going to do a longer distance run for charity, I would want to do it for the National Eczema Society — I still don’t think the condition is taken seriously enough, and I want to do whatever I can to bring awareness to it.”
Hannah has also experienced topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and knows first-hand how physically and emotionally demanding eczema can be. As a performer, she’s used her work to shine a light on the condition — dedicating songs to eczema awareness and sharing unfiltered photos of her flares to show the real, often hidden side of the disease.
“People are often shocked when they see those pictures — eczema isn’t just dry skin. It’s sleepless nights, painful skin that weeps and bleeds, and sometimes being unable to work or use the same products as everyone else.”
Hannah’s eczema first flared severely during her second year of performing arts college, affecting her confidence and her ability to keep up with physical training. Since then, she’s faced recurring flares over several years — but she’s never stopped performing or chasing her dreams.
“Performing is what I love to do, and I’ve made a point of not letting eczema get in the way.”
Now, she’s channelling that same determination into her running. Though she admits she has “a dancer’s, not a runner’s stamina,” she’s training hard and staying motivated to cross the finish line — for herself, and for everyone living with eczema.
Thank you, Hannah, for your courage, your voice, and your incredible support.
