Hello! 

Me and my sister Rebecca will be taking on the challenge of the London Marathon 2024 to raise money for Asthma + Lung UK. It was originally for 2023, but due to my asthma not being well controlled (ironic) we've both deferred.

I've had asthma for 25 years. It affects my life every single day and without the daily inhalers and steroids that I take I most likely would not be here. Around 1, 200 people a year die from asthma attacks in the UK, and women are more likely to die from asthma than men. One simple asthma attack can be fatal, and without proper ongoing care and research this number would only increase.

2021 and 2022 were particularly hard years for me with my asthma. I lost count of the hospital admissions, emergency trips to A+E, rounds of steroids, nebulisers and increases in my medications that I needed to get through the numerous asthma attacks and chest infections that I had. It's incredibly scary when you can't breathe, and there were a few times when I thought my time was up. 

I'm quite nervous to take on the marathon. There have been times this year when I've not felt able to walk up the stairs, so a marathon feels daunting, but I'm determined to do it next year.

The support I've received, and continue to receive, from my Asthma specialist nurse and the nurses on the Asthma UK Helpline (when it's all felt too much) has been invaluable. That's why this year I've decided to really push myself physically and raise money for such an important charity. I know I won't be able to run the whole way but I'll do everything I can to finish it! 

1 in 5 of us will have a lung condition during our lifetime. Just £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UKs nurses to answer a call on the Helpline, offering potentially lifesaving advice. I'd be very grateful for any donations you could make!