I'm incredibly grateful that my story is not one of woe or huge personal tragedy but one of a gentle and kind man to who in his 98 and half years so far has spent an age looking after me - now it's my turn to repay his kindness and ability to make a cricket bat out of anything to hand!

Danny 'The Legend' Kirkham, or Gandy as most of you know him, is still in pretty good nick for a man in his 99th year! Unfortunately it's his mind has let him down.

Gandy has been suffering with Alzheimzer's for a number of years now and at this stage of the disease it is much harder to deal with as a loved one or relative than for the sufferer himself.

Gandy can't remember who I am or who his daughter is - he can't remember how to eat, he can't remember how to talk (although occasionally, on  a good day, he manages to string together 'bugger' and 'off'!), he can't remember his 50 year marriage or where he lives.

Dot and I tried to care for him for a few years but it got tougher and tougher. 

Now the people at MHA care for him - they do an AMAZING job. Fact. Not only do they keep him safe, clean and well fed but they treat him with the dignity that he derseves.

MHA are a not for profit charity whose every penny goes into making day to day lives safe, fun and full for all the residents - Gandy has several girlfriends in Elmside....Betty, Doris, Vera, Elfie RIP.

Truth be told I got into the marathon through the ballot - so i don't have to raise any money but it feels like the right thing to do. If together we can raise some £££ for MHA then Elmside (Gandy's actual care home) could get a new piece of equipment or take the residents on a day out or even give the staff an extra day off (they deserve it).

I've gone on long enough but hopefully you get the message - i'll lead by example and sponsor myself as a start! Seriously any amount will help - big or small (i'd prefer big obvs!)

Thank you - i'll see you in the pub for a pint when i cross the finish line! xx