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So, I have crazily signed up to do the Bath Half Marathon on 7th March 2010. Crazily, because I have medical finals in May (as if they aren't going to be enough of a challenge!) and I've had to squeeze a serious amount of training in to my already busy schedule. So, I've been out, battling snow, blisters and dogs (one nearly bit my foot off the other day), running the hills of Bristol and Bolton in an attempt to get some miles under my belt for March. I'm aiming to finish in as close to 2 hours as I can and hope that if I can at least make this I'll have some excuse for my inadequacies as a junior doctor next year (- don't get ill in August!!)

I'm running in aid of a spinal injuries charity based in Bath. As medical school has shown me, spinal injuries can happen to anyone and have devastating effects on patients and families. This charity, Trust PA was set up in memory of P.A. Blundell who died 5 months after suffering a cervical spine injury playing rugby. The charity has so far raised over £350,000 in the last seven years to support the Spinal Research Trust in funding their Clinical Trials Initiative to prepare for use of potential treatments on spinal cord injury patients. For further information look at www.trustpa.org.

Please help me reach my target of £200 by donating as much as you can afford.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please donate if you can. The amount is private so just give whatever you can afford. Thank you!

Helena