1. I’m training for the London marathon. (You probably already knew that.)
2. I’m the soppiest animal lover you could ever meet. (If you’ve spotted my chosen charity, you probably guessed that too.)
3. And until two years ago, I’d never run in my life.

Because I’m not a natural runner. Not really. I didn’t like the sweaty forehead, or the frizzy hair, or the internal scream of why-am-I-doing-this-when-I-could-be-eating-a-chocolate-biscuit-in-front-of-Emmerdale.

So I opted for the biscuit instead. I’m only human, aren’t I?

But then two years ago, I made a spur of the moment decision. 

I decided that aged 24, enough was enough. I’d never been able to run further than the end of my garden path without turning an alarming shade of red, and I wanted to learn.

I went out that afternoon and bought my first pair of running shoes. Before long, I was telling anyone who would listen that one day - ONE DAY - they’d see me finish the London marathon. And it might have been early days, but I meant it. 

I joined a gym, lost some weight, and got started. Two years and four stone later, here I am - training for the very marathon I set my heart on at the beginning of my fitness journey.

But all of this means nothing without a cause. Sure, I wanted to run the marathon for myself - but what I really wanted to do was run it for a charity that really mattered to me.

That’s where PDSA comes in.

Now, if you know me, you’ll know that I can’t watch Supervet without dissolving into an emotional puddle; that my dog Delia (featured above) is the light of my life; and that every pet I’ve ever lost, I miss every day. 

That’s why the work PDSA does is so important. They’re there for pets, who ALL deserve amazing vets. They’re there for the owners, who love their pets more than words can say. They’re incredible. Because without them, it would be a different story for so many animals.

Animals give us so much.

This is my way of giving back, just a little bit.

Whether you love animals as much as I do, or you know someone who does, your help would make such a difference to this amazing charity. And every little counts. Whatever you can give - whether your time, money or encouragement - will go such a long way to helping the animals who need us.

Thank you so much for reading. 

See you at the finish line!

Ellie x