My son Marc and I are running the Great North Run to try and raise as much money as we can for Heart Research UK, a national charity based in Leeds which funds research into heart disease as well as helping to educate people about living healthier lifestyles to lessen their chances of getting this awful disease in the first place.  

Both of my grandfathers (Marc's great-grandfathers) died of heart disease and my father-in-law died of a heart attack.  My father-in-law was a lovely man, warm, friendly, great fun to be around.  He died in March 1980 aged just 51 only a few months before Sandra and I were due to be married.  You can imagine how devastating it was for us all and we still think fondly about him.  The sad thing is he never lived to see his lovely grandchildren.

Treatments have come on a long way since then and more people are surviving heart disease and heart attacks thanks to those advances made.  

But they don't just happen.  Research has to be carried out so that future treatments and surgical techniques can be properly developed.  

I've run the Great North Run four times, and this will be Marc's second time.  It's a fantastic experience but requires a lot of training and real perseverance.  I'm getting older and it's going to be harder this time - but Marc and I are determined to complete the 13.1 miles again and raise this much-needed money for a great charity. Thanks for taking the time to visit our 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 the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please help Heart Research UK - and dig deep and donate now - it will really help Marc and I to complete the Great North Run!!!.