I will be running the Great North Run (All 13.1 miles!) in order to raise money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease.

For those of you who don't know; Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease that attacks the motor neurones, or nerves, that control movement. People can still think and feel, but their muscles refuse to work. It leaves sufferers locked in a failing body, unable to move, walk, talk and eventually breathe.

There are 5,000 people living with MND, in the UK at any one time and around half of those diagnosed die within 14 months.

On 21st January 2008, aged just 36, Motor Neurone Disease took my uncle, Stephen Kirton.

There is currently NO diagnostic test, NO effective treatment and NO cure.

The Motor Neurone Disease Association is currently the ONLY charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that funds and promotes global research into the disease and provides support for people affected by MND. They rely almost entirely on voluntary donations.

I like to do something every year to help raise awareness and much needed funds in the hope that there will one day be 'a world free of MND'. Previously I've completed a 5k Fun Run and the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge. This year, together with one of my closest friends I will be completing the Great North Run.

Just so you can get an idea of where our fundraising money goes:

£10 provides an information pack for a newly diagnosed person with MND.

£25 runs the MND Connect support and information line for an hour.

£35 buys an adapted cutlery set to help someone with MND continue to feed themselves.

£50 funds lab equipment for a days vital research into finding out the causes of MND.

£250 buys a specialist joystick to enable somebody to continue working.

£550 funds the installation of a stair lift and initial six months rental.

£1,000 buys a riser recliner armchair to help maintain a level of mobility for those who can no longer stand unaided.

£3,200 buys a Lightwriter to give someone back the ability to communicate with their loved ones.

Please spare all you can, it's all for an amazing cause. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and read my story.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.