My name is Ashley Weir, I'm 45 years young! My supportive wife is Joanne and we have two fantastic daughters, Samantha and Rebecca.

Many of my family and friends know that prior to Summer 2013, it had been many years since I undertook any serious exercise, in truth nothing really since I was a young man!  I had to admit I was probably significantly overweight and knew I needed to do something to improve my overall health and fitness.

I used to enjoy running as a teenager and almost 30 years later didn't have the confidence of taking it up again by myself!  I didn't know where to start! I came across a shared Facebook post about a group promoting the NHS's Couch to 5k plan. This 9 week plan is designed to build gradually from doing nothing to be able to run 5km!

I had my doubts however this 5k Group Run plan had been set up by an inspirational friend and he encouraged me to give it go. I really thought 'this is it', this was just what I had been looking for to motivate me to achieve some goals but more importantly become fitter and lose some pounds!

That was the beginning of August 2013 and I apprehensively joined a group of unknown people on the first Saturday morning. There is no denying it was tough at the beginning but I trusted the plan.

I achieved my first 5k on 18 September 2013 and couldn't be more proud!  After that I helped support those remaining group members to reach their goal! As a group we entered Burnley's 5k Parkrun, in October 2013, where many of us ran PBs!  It was really awe inspiring for everyone! By this time my wife Joanne, who followed an already active lifestyle and has been incredibly supportive in encouraging me to become fitter, also joined our running group.

Since then I have lost weight and feel the fittest I have been in over 20+ years! I improved my times and looked to extend the distances!  Jumping from 5k, 6k, 7k to almost 9k in between Christmas and New Year 2013. It took me over an hour however I would have never even imagined I could have run for this length of time.

During 2014, the 5k GroupRun volunteers set up further 9 week plans trying to encourage people to come and give running a go!  We have now had over 1000 people through these sessions, which is amazing! The group has been recently recognised regionally by England Athletics, take a look at our Facebook page detailing what they are about - https://www.facebook.com/5kGroupRun

The next personal goal I achieved was completing Blackburn Road Runners Winter Warmer 10k race in February 2014, which was something I really enjoyed.  Although an extremely tough course set up for good Athletic/Club runners, my time was 1hr 13min! This time put me almost at the back of that race, but the atmosphere was electric and realised I had caught the running bug big time.

In April 2014, many of our group were successful in being accepted into Blackburn Road Runners.  I hadn't envisaged ever joining a proper running club but we were welcomed into their fold and have been supported in all aspects of running - http://www.blackburnroadrunners.net

Over the last half of 2014 I have trained, entered further races, improving times and distances, which culminated by participating in Cardiff Half Marathon on 5 October 2014.  As part of the training and experiences of running through the summer, the speed and distance improvements made have been challenging but extremely rewarding with all the support I have received from friends and family.

A number of my running friends chose to submit entries into the ballot for the next Virgin London Marathon in April 2015.  Joanne and I entered as well, not really thinking we'd be successful, happily donating our entry fee.  Well unbelievably, I was successful in securing a place.  A number of my running friends have also been successful and have decided to raise money for their chosen charities.

Now this is where YOU, all my family and friends come in!  I couldn't participate in the most prestigious marathon in the world without committing to raise donations for a worthy cause to spur me on through during the long winter months training.

Derian House is the charity I have chosen, with my aim to now to try and raise as much as possible for this great charity.  Whilst Joanne and I consider ourselves fortunate not to have had the need of their support, many families have not been as fortunate.

Situated in the heart of Lancashire, Derian House is renowned throughout the region as being at the forefront of children’s palliative and respite care.  Please visit their website to see the magnificent caring work they do in supporting children and their families - http://www.derianhouse.co.uk/

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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 Derian House. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.