The cause...

I've been charity fundraising since 2012 when I first took up running and I haven't looked back since.

I've raised money for various charities each year since then and in 2016 I was going to take step back from running for charity to give my body a well earned rest. I created and currently oversee and run a charity fundraising running group that I started in Feb 2015. This was to give me the opportunity to try and ease back a little and share the load and to expand the fundraising capabilities.

The charity fundraising raising group are currently fundraising for 5 charities, and I am unable to add anymore to the current fundraising page for our group as we have hit the limit of 5 charities at a time.

So I am left with no other choice but to do another year as I have been given another God given chance to help another worthy cause........

I currently work as a Concierge in a hotel, and recently a popular and regular guest explained to me her husbands illness/condition. He is suffering from a degenerative illness that effects the neurological system of the body.

I have seen this couple come to the hotel over the years and have noticed the gentleman's condition worsen over that time. I didn't like to ask about his illness as it is not my business to ask.

I was honored that the lady saw fit to tell me about it. She had heard I do a lot of charity work and charity running and asked if I would be interested in running to raise funds or awareness of PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy, which is the condition her husband suffers from).

What is PSP?...

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a Parkinson’s-like
neurological condition caused by the premature loss of nerve cells in
certain parts  of  the  brain. Over time  this leads  to  difficulties with balance, movement, vision, speech and swallowing.

Research suggests around 4,000 people are living with PSP in the UK
at any one time. In its early stages, symptoms can resemble those of
other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Stroke
or Multiple System Atrophy, with the result that initial misdiagnosis is
 common.

PSP is a very individual condition and symptoms can be experienced
with varying degrees of severity and at different stages of progression.
 Early symptoms may include loss of balance, falls (often backwards),
stiffness and eye problems – this might be difficulty in looking up or
down, focusing, double or tunnel vision and dislike of bright lights.
Some people can also experience behavioral and cognitive changes
including depression and apathy.

Like many other chronic conditions there is currently no cure for PSP. However many of the symptoms can be managed to help achieve the best possible quality of life.

Because It currently has no cure funds to help support research is desperately needed, which is why the PSPA has been set up to do just that. You can read about them and all their work below, just copy and paste the web address below into your browser:

http://www.pspassociation.org.uk/

Needless to say I have decided that as I have already signed up for lots of different runs this year and that I hadn't personally chosen a charity for my own individual challenges this year, then I could at least help by choosing to run for PSPA for a selection of my runs this year.

My 3 runs for PSP....

My current toughest runs this year are pretty much going to be my mountain/big hill based marathons, of which I am doing 3 in 2016.

They are the Excalibur marathon along the Clywdian range in North Wales on the 21st May 2016.

**Now completed**

The Hoad Hill marathon near Ulverston in the Lakes in August 2016.

**Now completed**.

Then finally the Snowdon marathon around Snowdon and it's surrounding valleys in October 2016.

I have lots of other tough runs in my running calendar, but I am dedicating these 3 for PSP and it's vital research in the hope that it will in some small way help with finding a cure, and also help spread awareness.

Please support me if you can with a small donation, as it would mean a lot to me and certainly to two of my favourite guests.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.