Would you Adam and Eve it, I’m running the London Marathon on Sunday October 2nd 🫣 There I’ve said it. The cat’s out of the bag, no going back now. I’m going back to my ever-so-almost-hear-bow-bells-cockney-roots — Newham, if you must know 😂

But more importantly I’m running to raise a ‘few’ quid for Asthma and Lung UK. And I'm running in memory of my Mum, who died in 2019 while suffering with COPD. Since then, I've gone down a rabbit-hole of research to find more than I bargained for.

Lung conditions are generally hidden from view, a personal burden for those that suffer. And it’s more widespread than I realised.

Asthma and Lung UK are the only UK charity that fights for everyones right to breathe.

— Across the UK 1 person every minute is diagnosed with a lung condition
— Someone dies from lung disease every 5 minutes
— 1 in 5 of us will have a lung condition during our lifetime
— Yet only 2% of public health research spending supports lung health

I know we're all tightening our belts right now. But every pound I'm able to raise will take us a step closer to a world where everyone has healthy lungs.

It would be amazing if you can spare even a few nicker, a lady godiva, an ayrton, maybe a score or a pony. Who knows, someone might have a monkey up the khyber.

Here's a few ways your money could be used — and no, I'm not expecting some of these eye-watering amounts. Research is expensive, but a vital part of the fight.

— £14 could fund an hour of research, giving hope to those who struggle to breathe.

— £22 allows one of Asthma + Lung UKs nurses to answer a call on the Helpline, offering potentially lifesaving advice. 

— £60 could pay for five school air pollution monitors, collecting air quality data that can bring about change.

— £100 could fund a day of vital research, helping to improve the care and treatment of people with lung conditions.

— £125 could provide researchers with equipment to grow cells linked to lung conditions, crucial for developing better and gentler treatments.

— £640 could fund a Support Group for one year, bringing people with a lung condition together.

— £1000 could fund a research technician to perform two weeks of research, taking us one step closer to a world without lung disease.

Thank you for reading this far. I'll see you on the finish line!