It’s now almost two years since the last time that I (unashamedly) asked for your help in order to provide much needed support to a well deserving charity.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, my mid-life crisis appears to be in full flight right now – reflected in the fact that I’ve committed to a Manchester triple this year – Wilmslow 1/2 Marathon (March), Manchester Marathon (April) and the Manchester 10k (May).

I would therefore like to ask for your support in raising money for a little girl called Vanessa Riddle. Vanessa lives near my hometown of Ayr, and finds herself in a desperate fight for her life.

In February 2009, aged 8, Vanessa was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk Neuroblastoma, an aggressive and difficult to treat form of childhood cancer. Vanessa bravely fought this disease and underwent a long, painful process of treatment and was final given the "all clear" in August 2010.

Just before Christmas, after a routine check-up, it emerged that Vanessa had relapsed. Unfortunately the UK NHS do not have the facilities or protocol for relapse treatments for this disease (due to the lack of Government funding), and the prognosis given to Vanessa from her UK doctor was less than 10% chance of survival. Therefore Vanessa’s family are desperately trying to raise the funds in order to get her treated in the USA where the signs are that the treatment will dramatically increase her chances of long term survival.

Please read Vanessa’s story here: www.justgiving.com/teams/vanessariddle

I’ve never met Vanessa or her family, however recognise that she has not yet been given the chance in life that she deserves; therefore I ask that you consider supporting me in an effort to contribute some much needed funds towards Vanessa’s appeal.

I appreciate that there are many worthy causes that need support, but this little girls life can be saved... all it takes is money!