Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My Story:

Earlier this year, I undertook an epic 226 mile running challenge to help raise funds for an extremely worthwhile cause close to my heart – Children’s Liver Disease Foundation. 

Undertaking such a huge challenge, whilst raising funds and awareness for this amazing charity, was the experience of a lifetime.  So much so that, after much thought and planning, I have set myself an even bigger challenge for 2015…. to take part in 12 events and complete no less than 580 miles between January and September….including 7 days running through the Peruvian Jungle of the Amazon in blistering heat and humidity!!

I have been inspired to raise funds and awareness for CLDF by my friends Lisa and Richard, whose two year old daughter Sophie was born with the condition biliary atresia.

Sophie had major surgery aged 6 weeks old and is doing really well.   She will always have the condition and may, in the future, need a liver transplant.  She will need medical care for the rest of her life.

At least 2 children a day are diagnosed with a life threatening liver condition - there is no cure for Sophie’s condition.  In addition to providing emotional support for families and young people, CLDF helps by funding research into the various conditions, treatments, causes and cures. 

CLDF also run a Yellow Alert campaign to help parents and professionals spot the early signs of liver disease – early diagnosis can save lives.

I have set a target of raising £5,000 through my 2015 events – this amount could fund the cost of a small research grant. You can find out more about CLDF’s research projects here.

To find out more about CLDF’s vital work for families – you can watch this appeal DVD.

In order to take on a new challenge for such a worthwhile cause, am undertaking a challenge that will test me both physically and mentally.  Rather than just running road marathons and ultras I will be running off road and on hilly terrain and in extreme climates.

During training, I have realised that I had far more weaknesses than strengths and hence have hired a coach (Ian Sharman) who will manage me through each event.  He is no stranger to taking on long distance, winning the Grand Slam of Ultra-Running during 2013 (http://www.runnersworld.com/trail-racing/grand-slam-duel).

THE CHALLENGE

The events I have chosen each have their own difficulties and I have set targets for each one:

• Country to Capital (45 Miles) 17/01/2015 – This was my first ever Ultra and I enjoyed it a lot.  I am hoping to knock at least 30 minutes off this last year’s time. 

   

• Miami Marathon (26.2 Miles) 25/01/2015 – My second marathon on US soil after New York.  This will be challenging due to running this the week after my 45 miler

   

• St Peters Way Ultra (45 Miles) 01/03/2015 – I will be using this to get used to running over uneven boggy and wet ground just like the Jungle. 

   

• North London Half (13.1 Miles) 15/03/2015 – Using this for some speed work and the fact it starts in and finishes in Allianz Park Stadium (home of Saracens rugby team) and runs through Wembley Stadium.  A bit of fun really

   

• New Forest Running Festival 21-22/03/2015 (50km (Saturday), 20 Miles (Sunday Morning) and 13.1 Miles (Sunday Afternoon)) – 3 events over 2 days in the New Forest.  This will certainly test my endurance and get me used to running on very tired legs!  This will be a real challenge.

   

• London Marathon 26/04/2014 (26.2 Miles) – My first A goal race!  I will be aiming for a personal best which currently stands at 3:42.  I would like to break 3:30 so will be pulling out all the stops to do so. 

   

• North Downs Way Ultra 16/05/2015 (50 Miles) – I am using this as my last long run before the Jungle.  Also it will be a trial run for the 100 mile NDW run in August.  Will be a good excuse to test part of the course.

   

• The Jungle Ultra – 05-11/06/2015 The main challenge - (230km in 6 days)!!  This is my secon goal A race.  This will challenge me on all levels of physical and mental toughness.  The race is run over seven days in high humidity on mountainous terrain in the tropical rain forest of Peru.  There are 60 rivers to cross and snakes, insects and Jaguars to avoid!  An extremely tough event!

   

• North Downs Way Ultra 08/08/2015 - (100 Miles) – Third biggest challenge (A Race).  I have never attempted running 100 miles in one go before.  I am aiming to complete in 24 hours but due to the hilly terrain of the north downs, this may be a tough ask.

   

• London Ultra Duathlon 20/09/2015 (107km) – I will be going this for something completely different.  I have never attempted a Duathlon before.

A HUGE thank you to everyone who has supported my fundraising mission for CLDF to date!  Your generosity and support has helped me to raise £12,885 including a generous donation from my employers - ACE).  I am overwhelmed by your kind and generous support – I know that Sophie’s family and CLDF are too.  Every donation helps so much in the fight against childhood liver disease.

I am determined to raise further funds and awareness for CLDF to help Sophie and thousands of other children and their families. 

Every penny raised makes a real difference to thousands of lives, therefore any donation you are able to make to help me reach my 2015 target would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you in advance for your kind support.