British actress Lisa McGrillis is set to run the TCS London Marathon in a heartfelt tribute to her best friend Mary Cann’s late husband, Nigel Cann. Nigel, who was just 47 years old, suffered a sudden heart attack in May 2024, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters.
To honor his memory and raise funds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), McGrillis and Cann are taking on the grueling challenge of the marathon. Their journey is not just about completing the 26.2-mile course, but also about highlighting the importance of heart health and the devastating impact of heart-related diseases.
A Friendship That Stands the Test of Time
Lisa McGrillis and Mary Cann’s friendship began in their childhood years in Carlisle. Though they attended different schools, their connection was instant, and they have remained best friends ever since.
Despite living in different countries, their bond has endured the test of time. When Mary lost her husband so suddenly, Lisa McGrillis knew she had to find a way to support her through the unimaginable grief.
“The thing is with grief, which I’m learning all the time, there’s nothing anyone can say or do to make the situation any better, so this has really been my way of supporting Mary,” McGrillis shared in an interview.
Running the marathon together became their way of channeling pain into purpose, turning a personal tragedy into an opportunity to help others through their fundraising efforts.
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Lisa McGrillis, known for her role as Valerie Jones in Disney+’s adaptation of Dame Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, has juggled a busy schedule while training for the marathon. Filming for the second season of the series begins in May, but before stepping back into her role, she is committed to crossing the marathon finish line alongside her best friend.
Nigel Cann was a charismatic and beloved figure, described as a devoted father and a huge Liverpool football fan. His sudden passing came without warning—he had been healthy and active, kissing his daughters goodnight before heading out for a game of padel tennis in Abu Dhabi, where the family lives. The loss was devastating, with Lisa McGrillis describing the shock as feeling like “being hit by a truck.”
The Journey to the Marathon
Mary Cann decided to run the London Marathon just three weeks after Nigel’s passing, despite being in the depths of grief. Her determination to honor his memory through action was unwavering, even at a time when simply getting through the day felt like an insurmountable task.
“When you see someone at that stage of their grief, so exhausted and weak, I couldn’t even imagine walking, let alone running,” McGrillis recalled. “But she was determined, and I made it my mission to get us into the marathon.”
Their training has been filled with challenges, as neither McGrillis nor Cann were regular long-distance runners. McGrillis has sustained several injuries along the way, acknowledging that marathon training is far more intense and consuming than she initially thought.
“I just thought, you put on a pair of trainers, go out for a jog, and over time the jog gets longer and you get stronger and fitter,” she admitted. “But it’s so much more complicated than that.”
Despite the physical toll, McGrillis remains committed to the cause, determined to be at her friend’s side throughout the race. “My goal is just to run with her, to support her. I want to be there next to her when she’s doing it,” she said, though she humorously admitted that Cann might be faster and fitter than her at this point.
Their training has also provided them with a way to stay connected, despite being in different countries. Through daily check-ins, they have found a shared purpose that not only strengthens their friendship but also keeps Nigel’s memory alive in a meaningful way.
Raising Awareness for Heart Health
The decision to support the British Heart Foundation was an obvious one, given that Nigel passed away from a heart attack with no prior warning signs.
The charity’s mission is to fund research into heart and circulatory diseases, which remain one of the leading causes of death in the UK. According to the BHF, these diseases account for 26% of all deaths in the country, amounting to more than 170,000 lives lost each year—approximately one every three minutes.
Of particular concern is the number of young people affected. Around 49,000 people under the age of 75 die from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK each year, a stark reminder that heart conditions are not limited to the elderly.
With heart disease affecting more individuals than cancer and Alzheimer’s disease combined, the need for further research and prevention measures is more critical than ever.
Nigel’s passing serves as a painful reminder of the unpredictability of heart disease and the importance of regular check-ups and awareness. McGrillis and Cann’s fundraising efforts aim to contribute to research that could prevent other families from experiencing similar losses. “If we can raise money just to help one family not have to go through what we’re having to go through, then it will be worth it,” McGrillis emphasized.
The annual number of deaths from heart and circulatory diseases in the UK has been reduced by nearly half since the British Heart Foundation was established in 1961.
This progress highlights the impact of ongoing research and awareness campaigns, yet there is still much work to be done. The funds raised from the marathon will go toward advancing treatment options and improving early detection of heart conditions.
On April 27, McGrillis and Cann will take to the streets of London, surrounded by supporters, friends, and family. McGrillis’s husband, actor Stuart Martin, along with their children, Joshy, 8, and Cleo, 4, will be among those cheering them on as they push themselves toward the finish line. Their efforts stand as a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and turning grief into a force for good.
For McGrillis, the marathon has been more than just a physical challenge—it has been a way to navigate the complexities of grief, to stay close to her best friend, and to make a meaningful contribution in memory of Nigel Cann.
As they run together, they carry not only their personal loss but also the hope that their journey will inspire others to take heart health seriously and support life-saving research.
Though the road to the London Marathon has been filled with challenges, setbacks, and emotional weight, their motivation remains strong. In Nigel’s honor, they run with the phrase that encapsulates his spirit: “If anyone Cann, Nige Cann.”
To donate visit: https://2025tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/lisa-and-mary.