On the evening of the 20th of August this year the world lost an incredible woman to a sudden cardiac arrest. A woman who’s selfless and wonderful nature has been sorely missed since the day she left this earth.

Donna McCarthy was an Iron Lady. Not in the sense that she was powerful and intimidating, quite the opposite. Donna was warm and loving with a smile that would make you feel at home. A selfless woman she devoted her life to Gerrard, Reece and her boys!

Her boys…. We miss her! A shoulder to cry on, a laugh to share and a drunken lift home at 4AM, she never said no!  Donna changed lives. The McCarthys took in Matt and Keaton as children and shaped them into the amazing young men they are today. As well as Matt and Keaton Donna took all of us boys into her life. Holidays abroad, BBQ’s, Parties and a weekly roast dinner, Donna would never let us miss out.

Personally I still cannot fathom what happened on that spiteful day, the 20th of August. Donna is still supposed to be here. I know I share a collective sadness knowing I’m not going to hear her voice from the sidelines when we play football or when I take on this challenge. I should still be able to text her about a bad day at work or a silly song that reminds me of a silly memory. Fortunately, Donna had already left me and so many others a lifetimes worth of memories and lessons that we will always rely on. Though sad, I am truly thankful.

Anyone that knows me, knows running is not my forte and the challenge is huge. I personally will be running the London Marathon on the 23rd of April for the British Heart Foundation in Donna’s memory.  Those of you reading may know my Dad, Martin (Blacky) was lucky to survive a serious heart attack in 2012. The British Heart Foundation have continually funded ground breaking research that helped my dad and millions more.

I encourage people more than anything to please share my story with as many people you can. Please only donate what you can afford and help me through this challenge!

Thank you all,

Charlie x