I'm really excited to take on the challenge of running the 2016 Great North Run for WaterAid.

Anyone who knows me will know that I've never been a natural runner. Maybe it was cross country in my PE knickers at school... or when I nearly sat down in protest in the middle of the footpath during a short jog with a friend... or the time I went running in Hull, only to be overtaken by a small child who then pointed out how red and out of breath I was!! So, it comes as a massive surprise to me that over the last year or so I have taken up running as a regular hobby and actually enjoyed it!!

Now, to my fundraising efforts. Working for the parent company of South Staffs Water, I am well aware of the time, effort and resources that are involved in getting safe, clean water to peoples' houses across the UK at the simple turn of a tap.  It's something we take for granted, but something that not everyone in the world has available to them. 650 million people in the world don’t have access to safe water. Without this basic service, they have no choice but to drink dirty water that could kill them.

WaterAid is an international organisation whose mission is to transform the lives of the poorest and most marginalised people by improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene.  In 2014-15, WaterAid reached over 2 million people with safe water and over 3.1 million people with sanitation. They tackle the crisis from all angles, working with local partners to deliver services, influencing decision-makers to make change happen, and generating incredible support across the world.

WaterAid will use your donations in the best way possible. For every £1 given, 78p is spent helping provide people with safe water, toilets and hygiene, 21p is spent on fundraising, and 1p on governance.

Just £15 can help provide 1 person with access to safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation.

£150 could transform the lives of ten people through safe, clean water.

£250 could pay for a locally manufactured rope pump in Ethiopia, providing families with access to clean, safe water.

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.