I signed up for the Manchester marathon before one of my friends was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. I was going to run it just for the personal challenge, but for months I have felt I have desperately wanted to help in some way.

As well as their fantastic support network around them, this charity has helped my friends, and many others, going through the unimaginable. 

If you have a few pennies to spare, please donate however big or small. My countless dark, windy and wet training runs through Storm Ciara, Dennis and Jorge (and whichever storm decides to rock up next!) will be worth it to raise even a small amount for this charity.