Hi guys & girls, 

Thanks for visiting my Justgiving page :-)

I'm assuming the majority of you reading this will already know a little bit about me, but just in case - here's how a girl like me, more competent walking in high heels than trainers, came to be facing the biggest challenge *ever. (*After child-birth. **I think.)

I'm not one to usually turn down a challenge, in fact I tend to leap before I look when it comes to pushing myself out of my comfort zone. So the fact that I've signed up to 'run' (let's use this term loosely for now,) The Brighton Marathon in 2015 would probably not come as a major surprise to those who know me really well. (I think the term they use to describe my er tendencies is "Steph-isms")

I have got myself into some slightly spontaneous, slightly insane scrapes before, but I have never, ever done anything as physically and mentally challenging as a Marathon. Not even a half marathon, (I, clearly, don't do things by halves :-/ ) - and needless to say I am just a little anxious (terrified) about what's in store over the next 26 weeks. 

So why am I doing this? Well...

I'm extremely proud to be the Video Producer for a charity that touched my heart from the minute I heard about them.

Local to me, in Northamptonshire, Niamh's Next Step was set up by Sam and Chris Curry, in memory of their beautiful daughter, Niamh, who tragically lost her life to a rare and aggressive childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma in May 2011. She was just 5 years old.

Currently a cure for Neuroblastoma has yet to be found. And conventional drugs and therapies just don't seem to work. Most of the children diagnosed with this condition won't survive it. And no government funding for the research into medicines that will work exists. (Yes you read that right, no government funding at all.) 

Despite experiencing every parents worst nightmare, the Curry family continue to keep Niamh's light shining in their battle against the nasty disease that stole her life, by raising the vital funds needed to research Neuroblastoma and other childhood cancers, with the hope of finally finding a cure that will save hundreds of children diagnosed with this disease. 

Through my camera lens, I have had the honour of witnessing their incredible hard work and dedication, first hand. - I've laughed and cried and found myself completely compelled to want to do more than produce videos in order to raise awareness and funds for such an incredible cause. 

And so here I am, ditching the heels for flats and committing myself to a gruelling 26 week training schedule that will see me cross the finishing line of one of the biggest challenges of my life.

Of course, since I seem to have my camera surgically attached to my hand I will be documenting my progress on video, and keeping a series over on my Youtube Channel should you wish to follow me? I would so appreciate your support.

And if you are able to donate anything at all to help me reach my goal of £250.00 it would mean the absolute world to me!

Please, please donate and help me run this, just a little faster <3 

Thanks for reading.

Steph Xx

Please visit www.niamhsnextstep.org for more info on my chosen charity.

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