I am running 26.2 miles in the 2022 TCS London Marathon to support the MS Society. This is my first marathon and although I have done some running in the last few years this is by far my biggest challenge.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of losing my Dad, Richard Wilding. Dad was diagnosed with MS around 2003 after struggling with his health for sometime and for many years his unfaltering answer of "I'm fine" when questionned on his health was almost believable, but things began to change and it became apparent he was struggling with something else. However, when seeking help from the GP he was told these new symptoms were 'just his MS', and when he saw his consultant they also lazily suggested this too, and that it was a symptom of the MS progressing and changing. When new medications didn't work Dad started needing hospital treatments and his heart started to struggle, having already been damaged by a heart attack in 2008. However, MS was still felt to be the root cause, although one hospital admission suggested there was a problem with his bile duct, when this was suggested to the MS consultant he was told this was a red herring. My last text message to Dad asked 'a red herring for what?'. Dad never replied and at the age of 60 on 4th December 2012 and after a huge heart attack he died. His postmortem finally gave the totally treatable diagnosis he needed but it was all too late.  

I want to raise awareness about MS and money for the MS Society in the hope that more is known and learnt and others don't get ignored and left to struggle as Dad did. Dad wasn't perfect (who is?) but everyone deserves to be noticed and listened to and not die from something others are successfully treated for all the time, just because they have an MS diagnosis.

So I shall be training hard and putting my body through this challenge and I am asking for your help to raise as much as I possibly can for the MS Society. I know times are hard and money is tight at the moment but if you can spare anything I would be so grateful and I will also be holding a fete on 14th August in Salisbury to have a fun day raising funds with crafts for sale, games, activities, a raffle and yummy treats, so hopefully see you there!

Thank you for reading this and your support means so much xx

MS is an unpredictable and incurable condition that affects people's nervous systems. It can attack suddenly or progress steadily, bringing a range of symptoms which can include sight loss, incontinence, fatigue and mobility problems. No-one with MS can be sure when or how it will affect them next.The MS Society fund vital research into the causes of MS and possible treatments. They provide a helpline service, answering the calls of those looking for advice and support. They believe that together, we are strong enough to stop MS.