As most of you will be aware, my dad, William 'Bill' Wortley died in 1999 aged just 51 years old having suffered from Cardio Myopathy. I'm no Doctor but apparently it is a disease that affects both the young and old, and effects the efficiency of the heart wall, causing the heart to work harder and due to it being a muscle, it increases in size, eventually becoming too badly damaged and inefficient to carry on working.

I am due to run the 2012 London Marathon and any funds raised will go to the Cardio Myopathy Association to help people and families affected by this disease and fund research the disease to hopefully prevent it in the future.

I have been meaning to raise money for this charity for years in memory of my Dad, a genuinely kind man who devoted his life to helping those in need and was then cruelly taken away from us, something which has had a profound effect on me and my family. He was a top dad, a great friend and role model, and I'm looking forward to raising money for a good cause in his memory.

I know times are tough for everyone, but surely the thought of me pounding the streets come rain or shine, with aching legs, sore feet, bleeding nipples and in general agony for 26.2 miles has got to worth a few quid of anyones money!

Any amount would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

PS: Can I clarify that the first donation was from my wife, and not a message I wrote to myself!!!!