Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

I am once again running a marathon for Willen Hospice. Willen specialises in end of life care for people living with cancer and life limiting diseases. However, people don't just go there to die. The nurses and staff and Willen to everything possible to keep people "living" right to the very end. I once heard of a patient who had been too ill to play his beloved golf for years but during his time at Willen, they managed to get him up and playing again. Truly something ey?

Personally, we can vouch as a family for the fantastic work that the team at Willen do. When my aunt entered Willen as she was losing her battle against cancer, we were not expecting what we received. A room with stunning views across the lake, constant tender care for my aunt and support for the family during the difficult time. This was our first experience with Willen and one that had already imprinted them in our minds.

Sadly, a couple of years ago, my cousin was also told he was losing him battle against cancer and requested to go to Willen for his final days where his mum had spent hers. In this tranquil setting family were allowed there at any time of the day with a family room to replenish themselves and rest throughout their time there. With two young children this was a particularly traumatic experience for the family but the team at Willen were endless in their support.

The team at Willen provide this tender care during the most distressing times and it is truly invaluable. Services are free to those they care for, however, to ensure that they can continue to offer that care they need to raise £7 every minute - around £3.6 million every year. 22% is supported by the NHS but that means 78% needs to come from the community whether that be their local charity shops, direct donations, or crazy people like me putting myself through endless agony trying to raise anything I can to support a cause I truly believe in with all my heart.

I know many people will feel resentful at sponsoring me for doing something yet again that I've done before (although Edinburgh is new to me) but please let me tell you a few reasons as to why it's not as simple as that:

• I still have to drag myself out in the cold and the rain to train for this marathon
• The endless nutrition plans, sacrificing Saturday nights out in preparation for Sunday long runs and numerous pairs of trainers
• Those that know me will know that I have suffered from injuries the past couple of years which makes the challenge even harder - not to mention the physiotherapy and acupuncture just to get through it
• 26 miles is excruciatingly hard - no matter how many times you may have done it before
• Sometimes, as a first time runner, ignorance is bliss - I know where all the pinch points and pain points come and the mental fight that comes with that is extremely tough
• It's simply an amazing cause - the money is not going into my pocket but to care for people who need it the most

So please give whatever you can, no matter how small, for this fantastic cause who need the support so badly. There's a reason I keep putting myself through agony for them.