Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Please read my story...

Thank you everyone who has sponsored me and supported me. Your generosity is amazing.  I completed the marathon in just under 6 hours and, though nursing an injury, I am thrilled with my achievement and the fact that Danny is hugely proud of his mum.  That, and the huge sum raised for Cardiomyopathy UK, makes it all worthwhile. Thank you.

I am running the marathon for my family; in memory of my wonderful husband, Tim, who died in 2005 and my beautiful daughter, Emilia, who died in 1992, both of whom had dilated cardiomyopathy. Most of all I am running for my lovely son, Danny, who is 18 and has lived with dilated cardiomyopathy all his life.  He has been very poorly recently so I am running for him in the hope that one day he will be lucky enough to receive a strong new heart and will be able to run his own marathon.  

I am also now running for my lovely mum, who did not have DCM, but died in February - she has always been my inspiration.

Heart muscle disease affects more than 1 in 500 people and their families and yet can be very isolating.  It is often misdiagnosed in the early stages and when the full impact on lifestyle and life expectancy is understood, it can be devastating.   There is no cure, though many people are able to lead relatively normal lives, with careful monitoring, drug and pacemaker therapy.  In some families, like ours, the condition is genetic and can proceed quite aggressively and ultimately a heart transplant is the only option.  Emilia’s transplant was unsuccessful but Tim’s gave him 12 more years of life, which he lived to the full. He ran his London Marathon with his new heart in 2003. 

I am not a runner, more of a 'pilates' and 'gentle stroll with the dogs' type, so this is going to be quite a challenge!  Any support you feel able to give will be much appreciated and encourage me to hit the treadmill or the pavements over the long winter months.

Most importantly, your donation will help the CMA support families like ours, as well as provide training and information to GP’s and healthcare professionals, so that people are diagnosed more quickly and can start to receive the appropriate care. They also work hard to raise awareness of the disease which helps to channel funds into new therapies and genetic research, which one day may offer cures or the possibility of breaking the genetic cycle.