There are many charities, all worthy, but my choice was fairly easy. To be blind or deaf is a tremendous challenge, but to be both really is unimaginable. When I heard about the work that Sense does it was a really easy decision to support them.

Noah was born with one extra chromosome, and as a result he is deafblind, with limited sight and very little hearing.

With support from Sense, Noah and his family are learning Makaton – a language programme that combines signs, symbols and speech.

Every day Noah learns new words which make his mum and dad very proud. Noah also enjoys music therapy sessions at Sense where he enthusiastically plays the drum.

By sponsoring my run you can help to teach a childlike Noah new signs to use to tell his mother what he needs, wants and likes.

Go on, you know you want to!

After raising £3000 for Sense by running the 'Marathon of the North' I am now aiming to raise another £1,000, and, if successful, have agreed to run the Kielder marathon in October dressed as a character of your choice. We will have a poll of all of those people who sponsor me and the character with the most votes will win. Suggested characters to date include; A Smurf, The Grinch or one of the Seven Dwarfs (I am seeing a pattern here!)

I will provide regular updates both here and on our company website. Make sure you check out my training blog, 'Writer on the Run'