Three weeks ago (today being 2nd July), I did not run. I'd maybe been for a run about four or five times ever, including some enforced runs. Let's just get that fact out the way to begin with. 

It started with a spontaneous decision to join a triathlon team and run 10k with Aspire in the London Triathlon. 

1. 10k, London triathlon, 27th July - DONE
I was keen to get involved, it sounded fun. Then I discovered I had 5 weeks to go from non-runner to 10k runner. Five weeks' training means 10k is tough. But I did it. Nearly fainted later on the bus but that's another story.

2. The Three Peaks Challenge, 6th-7th September  - DONE
Now, this is where it gets tough. Yes, I've climbed a couple of mountains before but those of you who know me will know that I do not do well without sleep. Normally, when sleep deprived, the most I manage is to stare in to space whilst clutching a cup of tea. Somehow, I've got to get that glassy-eyed stare up a couple of the UK's highest mountains, possibly even without tea. 

3. Half Marathon, 29th September (just three weeks later). It's more than double the first challenge but it's a lot flatter and quicker than the second one! Three weeks to recover from my sleep-deprived mountain epic and it's on to a run that's longer than I thought I would ever do: 13 miles. I've rarely even cycled that far.

Why though?

£1000 makes quite a difference to Aspire. Every eight hours, someone sustains a spinal cord injury. It happens to ordinary people doing ordinary things - it might be falling downstairs, a road accident or, frighteningly, a virus or stroke that happens out of nowhere and leaves you paralysed in a matter of hours.

But losing the use of your legs, and possibly hands as well, is not the end of it. There is so much more to think about. If I became a wheelchair user overnight, I couldn't even get back in to my flat, let alone live in it. Everything changes - living arrangements, travel, possibly work, how you use a computer. Disability is expensive and it's not the loss of movement that can make spinal cord injury devastating, it's everything else but, with the right support, it can all be worked around. Aspire helps with all the little things that can become huge things if the support isn't there. They give people the tools to get on with their lives and help people avoid being beaten down by every challenge that comes up - where will I live? can I still have a family? can I go on holiday? will I be able to work? how do I drive a car now?

Believe me, if you or someone you care about ever had the misfortune to sustain a spinal cord injury, you would be so incredibly glad that Aspire is there. Donations are so important to ensure that they can keep doing what they do. Please sponsor what you can to give some real meaning to my adventures. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.