Sooo....somehow I have managed to get a place in this year’s Virgin London Marathon (!) after last year deciding it would be a laugh to put my name into the ballot – of course what are the chances of me applying first time and getting in? - turns out, rather high!

 

Anyway, not being one to throw away an opportunity when it comes my way, I am now going to go through with it – Let’s hope that it’s similar to running the 1500m race, as that is about as far as my running background goes!

 

I have chosen to run for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of my godfather and uncle, Andy Stone, who sadly passed away in October 2010, having fought his battle against lung cancer over the previous few months.

Cancer affects 1 in 3 people and most of us will know someone who has battled it, and the families who have had to try and come to terms with such a devastating illness.  Macmillan nurses offer care, help and support for both the sufferer and their family.  In addition to support from his GP and the district nurses, Uncle Andy was very fortunate to have had some excellent help in his final weeks from the Macmillan nurses.  They helped by being there to listen and to advise on his personal situation, and to provide practical and theoretical care, so that when the time came and at his own request, Uncle Andy was able to  pass away peacefully at home in his bed.

So with this in mind, I am proud and pleased to be able to do something to give something back to the charity who helped my family. 

 

I am well into my training schedule now and have almost given up on the wine and the high life!!....almost??  I successfully ran 20 miles at the Surrey Spitfire 20 in Dunsfold, (so many hills!) and can now slip into the final stage of training for the big event in a few weeks time.  Therefore, and hopefully, I will be all set and ready to run on 22nd April in the Virgin London Marathon.  Sponsorship packs have now come through from Virgin and from Macmillan and at last, it all feels very real and quite terrifying!

 

So the next bit is my plea to you.  Please please, if you feel you can, sponsor me.  Any donations are greatly appreciated and will give me my motivation to get to that finishing line. 

 

I feel very privileged to have got the place to run and now that it is close, I feel excited and ready to go!

Thank you for taking the time to read this - now do the easy bit - click the Donate Now button!!