I’m like a bad penny aren’t I? Always sneaking in early September shamelessly rattling a tin for Macmillan. No, I don’t lose any sleep over being an annoying chugger, yes, I know it is irritating - just shut up and give me your money.

This will be my 9th Great North Run for Macmillan and as always, I’m excited to be putting on my green t-shirt and flogging myself from Newcastle to South Sheilds to raise a couple of quid for a charity who as you know, helped us care for dad before we lost him to the Big C back in 2002. Over the last 8 years you guys have helped raise a staggering £13,656 for Macmillan in dads name, and as always I’d like to nudge that number up a bit.

The work Macmillan do is incredible and below are a few ways your hard earned dollar can help.

£10 could keep a typical Macmillan information and support centre stocked with all the information resources it needs to support people affected by cancer for 5 hours.

£20 could pay for more than 50 copies of The Cancer Guide. This Macmillan booklet can help someone recently diagnosed with cancer and their families, understand more about cancer, its treatment and the help available.

£30 could run a small Macmillan information and support centre for 1 hour, helping people affected by cancer to find information and support.

£50 could help run the Online Community forum for over an hour. In this time, over 744 people affected by cancer in the UK can give emotional and practical support to each other on anything to do with cancer.

If tugging on your heart strings hasn’t done it for you, then an insight into the misery I’ll endure might amuse you.

• I am still utterly shit at running. I don’t even enjoy it, I’m just in it for the medal and the post race pint.
  


• There’s a strong chance I might not get the medal because…


• I intended to train properly this year but lucky me had a heap of moles removed in a skin scare (all clear, thankfully haven’t taken after dad that much) and had stitches in my foot until a couple of weeks ago. I’ve had 3 weeks training. This takes the piss more than the time I ran the marathon on 11 weeks.


• Great North really hurts. I know I say this every year and then sign up again, but it really really hurts.

As always you will not receive anything in exchange for your donation except a photo of me looking like death and a good nights sleep knowing you’re a good egg.

Big up to my Blue Eyes - I miss you every day x