Two years ago, running to catch the bus was just about all I'd manage. But spurred on by the desire to raise money for research into Inflammatory Bowel Disease - the collective name for Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, I completed a 10K race and then a half marathon, raising a massive £1,405 for the fantastic charity Crohns and Colitis UK.

And next April, I'm doing the big one: the Geater Manchester Marathon. Will I manage to complete the 26 and a bit miles? It's a tall order, but I'm determined to do it.

Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis  are debilitating illnesses which affect more people than Parkinson’s, but are far less well known.

MUFC footballer Darren Fletcher, TV presenter Carrie Grant, and comedian Stewart Lee all have IBD, as does my ten-year-old son, Jake, who was diagnosed at three.

Jake has been in and out of hospital for most of his life, takes 10 pills every day and an intravenous infusion every two months.

But even though his IBD is nowadays well controlled, he still has times when the symptoms are bad, enduring much pain and distress.But Jake won’t be beaten by the disease and manages to live life to the full.

CCUK works tirelessly to improve the lives of IBD sufferers like my son. Scientists are making great strides in finding ways to treat IBD, but there’s such a long way to go, so CCUK’s funding of essential research is also hugely important.

Please sponsor me to take part in the Greater Manchester Marathon and raise money for CCUK. You can visit their website here: http://www.nacc.org.uk/content/home.asp