Most people who know me well are aware that during my A levels (awkward) I began to have symptoms of Crohn's disease and was diagnosed later that year. There have been a few ups and downs since then and I can laugh at the more mortifying incidences, especially now that I'm in remission. In fact, one of my favourite things to do is regale friends with embarrassing stories, such as being caught short whilst on my way to getting my eyebrows waxed. The price we poor females pay to look our best.

But there is a dark side to this illness too. Recently a family friend of mine, who suffered from Ulcerative Colitis, died from a perforated duodenal ulcer. So it's partly because of having the illness myself and coming through, and partly because of Marilyn who didn't, that I'm running the London Marathon for Crohn's & Colitis UK. I hope you'll consider sponsoring my endeavour.

Crohn’s and Colitis UK is a national charity in the battle against Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. We are fighting to achieve a better quality of life for the 300,000 people in the UK suffering physically and emotionally from these and other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Ultimately, we want to find a cure.