In 2021 I turn 40!! I can't quite believe I'm saying that as I'm sure I was 21 the other day!  

Rather than complain that I'm getting on a bit, I decided that I must have one marathon in me somewhere!  Right now I'm not sure where that is, it is somewhere hidden deep away!  

I started vaguely mentioning to people that I might do the London Marathon when I turned 40.  Then I started telling a few more people, and then suddenly it was real and I'm doing it - on 3rd October 2021.    

Lockdown has taught me I can run consistently and enjoy it, but running 26 miles....I'm not too sure!  Everyone who knows me will know I am incredibly determined and if I set my mind on something I will do it, and I'll do it properly, whatever it takes!

As well as being a personal challenge and achievement, I wanted to make sure that my challenge benefitted others.  In 2018, my sister Katie ran the London Marathon for Phab Kids.  It was the first time I'd heard of Phab but was inspired by the incredible work they do supporting children and adults with disabilities.  My sister-in-law Laura also has learning disabilities and lives in supported accommodation. Laura hasn't accessed Phab herself, but I see the benefit she gains from lots of other similar charities who rely solely on donations and fundraising to enable their incredible work improving the quality of life and happiness of children and adults with disabilities.

I wanted to know that what I was doing would make a difference and I knew therefore that I wanted to run for Phab.  I'm so pleased they are giving me the opportunity to support them whilst I go for the biggest physical challenge I'll ever have done!

If you can support me and Phab I really would be incredibly grateful and I know Phab would be too.  If you can add gift aid too that will mean Phab get even more money.  With 2020 having been a complete washout and Phab's reliance so much on fundraising from events, its even more important that I raise as much as I possibly can for them!

A little bit more about Phab.....

Phab brings together disabled and non-disabled people of all ages to make more life together – with exciting and challenging holiday projects for disabled and disadvantaged children and young adults, wheelchair accessible holiday homes, and 140 Phab Clubs across England and Wales with 8,000 members. Thank you for supporting Phab and Phabkids – with your help we can make a real and lasting difference to the lives of so many more children, young people and adults with disabilities, to their families and to local communities.