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Everybody has a story to tell and their own very personal reasons for wanting to take part in the London marathon running for the National Autistic Society. But I wanted to take this time to share with you what I believe a moving yet inspirational story as to the reasons why I would like to run and raise awareness for such a great cause.

I would consider myself very lucky to be here let alone medically fit to be able to partake in such an event. When I was 4 years of age, I underwent open heart surgery at the Bristol Royal Infirmly, I was born with a hole in my heart. My consultant Dr Wishart who operated on me sadly was struck off in 1999 for clinical Negligence, overworked, stressed taking short cuts in operations. Consequently, lots of children died who was under his care and he was slandered across the media.

The above has not had any physical impact on my levels of fitness. I have been into running on and off since high school. I have participated in three half marathons Cardiff 2014, Dublin rock n roll 2015 and the Torbay half in 2016. My PB is 2:15. Now I would like to pursue a new challenge and run the London marathon which I know will be physically and mentally challenging but I know I can do it. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it, it is mind over matter.

Running is my stress reliever, me time and my time to meditate think and reflect, I love the sense of freedom it gives you and at the end of a long hard sweaty run makes me feel good. I am always looking at ways I can better myself hence why I thought this would be an excellent yet hard challenge.

I applied to run for the National Autistic society as I feel it is a charity close to my heart. I am a mental health professional (registered mental health nurse) and have a younger sibling who is 11 years of age with a confirmed diagnosis of Asperger's. I have previously worked within the field looking after people on the autistic spectrum. I realise that people with autism have many maladaptive behaviours including anxiety disorders, fear, obsessive compulsions/ocd traits and can lead to depression. I would like to help raise awareness for people with Autism to try and help make a difference no matter how big or small. I want people with autism to feel like they are included, that they are not alone and they are not odd they are a human just like you and I but perceive the world differently to us. They have needs just like us. With the right support knowledge and expertise together, we can make a difference. This is why I want to run for such a fantastic cause. I am sure I will have fun along the way taking part in fundraising events with a little help from my friends.

I plan on holding charity nights providing entertainment and food donated and charge a ticket fee for each guest. Raffle prizes, coffee mornings at work and around the local primary schools or supported houses for adults with learning disabilities/autism. Wash cars in exchange for cash, strike gold ask friends and family to donate any silver/gold they no longer want or wear and turn the gold in for cash. Hold car boots, rent a worker volunteer in local community for the odd afternoon to do odd jobs for sponsors, fundraising page on facebook, go fund me page which can be shared across social media and more importantly badger my friends and family and everyone I know!

Please help me to raise my target no matter how big or small every little helps!