UPDATE: Succssefully completed the 2009 London Marathon in 4 hrs 25 minutes and 37 seconds.  Thanks to everyone for the generosity and encouragement. 

I ran the London marathon in 2007 and raised around £10,000 for Little Havens Hospice, who do so much for my family, particularly my elder daughter Laurel.  They provide wonderful support, and much needed respite breaks where all four of us - Laurel, her sister Charlotte, Cara and me get a chance to decompress and be looked after for a few days. 

Three months after the 2007 marathon, my Mum was suddenly taken ill and died a few days later.  She had breast cancer treatment a few years previously, and the cause of her collapse was multiple secondary tumours.  Mum and Dad watched the 2007 marathon on TV whilst on holiday in Lanzarote, and saw my grinning mug as I crossed the start line.  Four hours and 55 minutes later, they were among the first people I managed to get in touch with after I reached the finish. 

Mum was the senior nursing sister at Fair Havens Hospice, Little Havens' adult counterpart, when it was opened in 1983.  It really is a special place, doing fantastic work for some seriously ill people and their families.  She received amazing hospice-style care as she was dying and I know how valuable this was to all of us who were with her.  Fair Havens needs urgent support to be able to continue doing this for other families. 

Running the 2009 London marathon for Havens Hospices is my way of saying thank you to the team at Little Haven for all they do to help my family, and to pay tribute to my Mum, who I hope will always be remembered fondly at Fair Havens. 

Thank you for your donation and support, and look out for runner number 7010 in bright yellow!