Update 23 April 2012:    I made it to the start line yesterday after 11 days of illness and lots of uncertainty about whether I would be able to even start the race. I certainly wasn't revovered from the virus but felt well enough to give it a go.. and I DID IT !!! I'm so pleased to have been able to finish. My time was slower than I would have expected but I deliberately kept my pace slow so I didn't get out of breath at any stage, and walked when I had to. My finish time was 4 hours, 22 minutes and 32 seconds.  The weather was perfect, the crowds were amazing and I had wonderful support from friends and family. Thank you all. Linda would have been so grateful.

Update 22 March 2012. Linda died at 5am this morning, at home, at peace, with her family around her bed.

In December 2011, my dear sister Linda was diagnosed with an inoperable, highly aggressive brain tumour. Since last summer she has gone from being an active golfer and walker, to now being partially sighted and unable to walk. She is terminally ill and needs 24-hour care. Thanks to the tremendous help and support provided by her friends and family, the Butterwick Hospice, Marie Curie and Macmillan, Linda has been able to stay where she wants to be - in her own home. She is still firmly at the helm, directing household operations from her chair or bed. She has retained her great sense of humour and the last few difficult months have brought us much closer together as a family. Linda hopes to celebrate her 59th birthday on 3rd May.

I will be running London Marathon on 22nd April and am raising money for Butterwick Hospice, so they can continue their invaluable work supporting terminally ill people. Linda will be with me every step of the way in London. Please sponsor me - it will mean a great deal to me and Linda.

Please also look at the photos I have uploaded showing Linda in healthier days - we have had some amazing holidays together in recent years.

Many thanks to Teeside Ladies Golf Association for their generous donation of £300, (26 Feb 2012).