30 years ago in 1992 my Dad ran the london marathon. It took him quite a long time with little training but he finished it. 

He raised over £750 for my primary school and appeared in the local paper - the Lancashire Evening Post. 

Over the years the london marathon has been a huge ambition of mine, partly because I try to beat my dad at anything but it has been a huge inspiration and dream to achieve all my life.

I am lucky enough to have been given a place to run this year at the london marathon in October and would like to raise money and also awareness of Arthritis for the charity @versusarthritis, which is an amazing charity that supports people with arthritis and also their families. 

It is a horrible disease that comes in many variations. 

Something that I have experienced first hand.

Just to rewind a little bit back to 2008. I had a climbing accident and I tore my meniscus that eventually resulted in having key hole surgery on my left knee.

Two years later when working in Melbourne, Australia, I fell over whilst running home and hurt my knee.

Working to the bone in a busy restaurant helped contribute to the stress, with migraines, inflamed feet, knee and wrists including extreme pain in my jaw.

After weeks of tests and pain killers I was referred to a rheumatologist who discovered that I had a condition called psoriatic arthritis.

After pushing through the pain barrier and determined to stay in Australia I eventually decided to return home where I would need proper care.

To cut a long story short. 18 months unemployed, going through intense medical treatment, immune suppressant drugs, physio and Pilates. I eventually moved back to London and set up a catering events business.

After years of managing the illness, I tapered off the medication and continued without any aid and adapted my lifestyle to help control the condition and I am currently in remission.

Now 11 years later since my diagnosis I continue to keep fit and healthy and defy the odds of this chronic disease that attacks its own cells, known as bloody Arthritis.

I would like to raise awareness and kick out the stigma of this horrible disease that affects all ages.

I am running the London marathon and I thought I would give my dad a head start and I am aiming to run under 3 hours 31 minutes and 19 seconds… half of what my dad achieved. 

I would hopefully be able to inspire others and show that you can manage the disease, carry on with a normal life and smash Barriers. 

Please donate! 

I would be extremely grateful. X

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.Millions of people wake up with arthritis every morning and face the day in pain, without the support and recognition they deserve. Arthritis attacks what it means to live and people with arthritis are often left to manage alone.Versus Arthritis invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis. Please sponsor me so that together we can overcome the pain, isolation and fatigue of arthritis.