A large number of the population have chronic kidney disease and this is only going to get worse as we put on weight and live longer. Whilst it is more likely to affect you when you get older, all ages are at risk and can develop kidney failure needing dialysis and possibly a kidney transplant. We are looking for kidneys to last a lifetime with our research.

This is particularly close to my heart as my husband and eldest son have polycystic kidney disease and will both need dialysis and/or a kidney transplant at some point in the not too distant future. 

My husband has already benefited from research into drugs which can slow down the deterioration of his kidney functionality and my son has also benefited from amazing care from the NHS for his kidney tumour when he was 15 months old (completely unconnected to his polycystic kidney disease, but which does mean that he now only has one kidney to support him).

My father in law (Little Grandad in the pics!) also had PKD and we saw the way he dealt with his dialysis and transplants and the impact that this had on his life and family. He and Marj (my mother in law) were amazing supporters of Kidneys for Life...Marj even jumped out of an aeroplane to support KFL at the age of 80, and as she doesn't like flying and is terrified of heights I think me running the Great North Run looks like an easy option!

So if you are able to spare a few pounds and would like to sponsor me this Sunday I'd be hugely grateful. We have received so much support over the years for the various treatments we as a family have needed that I'd like to be able to contribute something to help others.

Thanks so much for reading this far, hope you like the pics of my gorgeous boys!