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On Sunday 23rd April 2017 I will be running the Virgin London Marathon to raise money for the MS Society.

The MS Society is a charity that is close to the heart with my sister-in-law having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 24 and ultimately resulting in her passing a few years later.

So what is MS? Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the immune system meaning that it mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue – in this case, the myelin covering of nerves. This can cause multiple sections of the brain and spinal column to become damaged and hardened (sclerosis), which can disrupt the nerve signals passing through these areas causing a wide range of symptoms including problems with muscle movement, balance and vision.

There is currently no cure for MS but there are a number of treatments that can help.

It is estimated that there are currently around 100,000 people with MS in the UK. MS is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 20-40, although it can happen at any age.

The MS Society depends entirely on charitable fundraising and the support of the public and volunteers to be able to do their work. Your donation can help in so many ways, such as:

> funding research into finding better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MS;
> providing mobility aids and equipment;
> help towards the running costs of the MS freephone helpline;
> help fund the cost of someone receiving 24-hour nursing care at the respite care centre.

You can also donate to my fundraising page using JustTextGiving. Just text MSST73 to 70070 followed by the amount you wish to donate. e.g. to donate £5 text MSST73 £5 to 70070.

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.

Thank you.