1 in 8 adults in the U.K. is a carer, providing unpaid support to sick or elderly loved ones. When my mum died last March, I took on caring responsibilities for my adult sister who has special needs and my elderly, widowed, dad, alongside a busy job and other interests. It’s been very rewarding but it’s also been demanding. It’s given me a real understanding of the work Carers UK does - battling for greater understanding and support for the challenges Carers face and how to mitigate them, campaigning for carer friendly employment policies, providing advice on how to deal with social services, working with companies to develop technologies that help carers support their loved ones, and to feel valued by society for the huge contribution they make. This is my fourth marathon. In the others, I have been overtaken by Elvis impersonators, Stormtroopers, various outsized items of cutlery and pantomime horses, among others. No more! Here’s to a quick(er) one this time! 🏃😀