Having watched so many of my friends and family take on this incredible challenge over my 10 years living in London and declaring continually it wasn't in me and I would never do it, I am a little surprised to find myself undertaking the challenge at the age of 41; being a mother of two young boys; & having left London for Glasgow 2 years ago...

but

• knowing the impact Back Up has had in supporting my friend through adjusting to life following a totally flooring (literally) spinal stroke in November 2019 which left him paralysed;
  
• as well as the part the team at Back Up have played in supporting and encouraging him through his rehabilitation to now be able to walk with sticks and hopefully in time unaided...
  

the chance to fundraise for Back Up, coupled with the opportunity to train throughout a Glaswegian Summer (akin to a London winter!) could not be missed.

It becomes all the more personal when I realise that both Dad and Stuart have had major back surgery (3 times in Dad's case) to relieve and avoid further damage to the spinal cord...

I will be attempting a double whammy...a sprint triathlon this weekend (8th August) as race preparation (having undertaken my first and last mini-sprint event 12 years ago) and have been pounding the pavements in earnest for 8 weeks now in preparation for the London Marathon (having never ran further than a half marathon).

These challenges would not be possible without the support and understanding of Alfie & Angus, who have enjoyed far more daddy time than usual as Mummy is "out training again"- not forgetting the   effort Stuart is putting in to deliver this!

I'm at the half way stage of training and am now looking for your support to help me in the next stage of training and on the day itself...my pace is not fast, nor my style pretty, but I'm up for the challenge, knowing those I am fundraising for would leap at the chance to be running.

By generously donating to my London Marathon challenge, you are ensuring that more people can be supported after a devastating spinal cord injury.

Some examples of where your donations could be spent:

• Leaving hospital and returning home is a daunting time for someone who is newly paralysed.  That's why the outreach and support team, who all have a spinal cord injury themselves, make regular calls to help people adjust to their new way of life.  It costs as little as £5 to call someone and give them the much-needed support they need.
• £35 could pay for someone who is newly injured to attend a wheelchair skills training session. Getting around as a wheelchair user can be frightening. Tasks like going to the shops, playing with children or just carrying a cup of tea become difficult. From pushing technique, getting over obstacles and up kerbs, to back wheel-balancing and transfers, Back Up's manual or power chair sessions are tailored to help people live the life they want.
  
• £50 could enable a Back Up education inclusion advocate to provide a child with a spinal cord injury support as they settle back into school life.  Back Up's advocates work with the school and family to ensure the right support is in place, and that no child with a spinal cord injury ever feels left out.
• £100 could pay for our highly trained outreach and support team to run a Wacky Wednesday session. This is a chance for young people with spinal cord injury, with their families, to have fun, make friends and build their confidence.

I really appreciate your support...thanks!

And finally...the lawyers pay! Iain and Louise Larkins, the co-founders at Radius Law, have very kindly offered to match any fundraising I receive*- thanks so much both

(*up to my target of £2,500- there's always a catch with lawyers!)

Maria x