This April (April 2016) I'm running the Paris Marathon to raise money for the MND Association and Cancer Research UK, in what will be an epic personal challenge. The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.21875 miles). Nearly 140 nationalities and 50,000 runners come to tackle the most fabled long-distance discipline in athletics.

The race takes a route past the Champs Elysées, the Bois de Vincennes and Boulogne, offering a backdrop of famous landmarks. Views of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower point the way home. 

MNDA and Cancer Research UK are both very close to my heart for personal reasons. I would very much like to contribute to these charities so I have set up a team fundraising page, which is the only way to link two different charities to one page. If you are kind enough to make a donation, you can choose which charity you would prefer to donate to.

This will be a real personal challenge to myself as I am not a born runner and have some slight bio-mechanical issues! However, I am very determined to complete this mission with much needed support from close ones. I have put together a gruelling but achievable regime. There are now just 3 months remaining, so this is starting to feel very real! Especially after Turkey at Christmas..

I appreciate that not every is in a position to donate, but any donation would be extremely gratefully received, as would any cheers and best wishes nearer the day, as I crawl over the line!!

Thank you for visiting my page and supporting me to run the Paris Marathon 2016. Your sponsorship is hugely appreciated and will support these charities in finding cures for the future.

I'm covering all of the costs of my trip - 100% of donations will go directly to supporting each charity. 

Remember: Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 25%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.