Like many thousands of people across the UK, I was training for a marathon when news broke of the Coronavirus arriving in the UK. Since the 1st November I have run 1043 training miles (and counting!), got through 3 pairs of trainers, and even run on Christmas Day. My planned event has rightly been postponed, but I've been left with a feeling that something needs to be done right now for those who are struggling. I was due to run the Manchester marathon on Sunday 5th April, but now I'm planning to run the very first, very special Palmers Green marathon.

On the morning of Sunday 5th - as long as the lockdown rules permit - I will run the official marathon distance of 26.22 miles around the quiet streets of Palmers Green. I've calculated a one-mile lap, meaning I will run this 26 times (plus 385 yards). I'm aiming for a specific time of 3 hours, but also aiming to put all those hours of training to good use to raise some much needed cash.

The pandemic has affected us all in unexpected ways, but for some it has totally turned their worlds upside down. I'd like to play my part in supporting those who suddenly have nothing. I'd also like to show that - whilst we have to be physically separate - we can also stand together to defeat this thing.