In November 2007 my life was changed forever by an anonymous donor who gave me the greatest gift anyone could give: a new chance at life.
While I lay in my hospital bed recovering, my brother announced that he would be following up his 2006 London Marathon by taking a team of Marines along with him - in full kit with 30lb bergans - to run the 2008 Tresco Marathon in aid of the
Cystic Fibrosis Trust. He also announced, much to my surprise, that I was to be out of hospital and up and around in order that I could join them and run the last mile of the event with them.
I am determined to make my new life count, to make the most of my two new lungs, to do and achieve all kinds of things that I would never have been able to dream of before. Naturally, I couldn't turn him down.
So, on Sunday 13th April, I will join the merry band of Royal Marines in the final mile of the Tresco Marathon and attempt to run the whole 1500m to the finish line.
We are hoping to raise £1,000 - all of which will go direct to the CF Trust, who have for years been instrumental in funding research into the disease in the hope of finding a cure for the country's 7,500 young sufferers and who have provided support not just to people with CF but their families and loved ones as well.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cystic Fibrosis Trust will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Thank you all for your support - and for keeping me honest in my quest for fitness! To keep up with my training progress, go to
http://trescomile.wordpress.comTo sign the Organ Donor Register and make a real difference to someone's life,
click here.
Read more on the Marines' challenge thanks to the amazing support of
Plymouth Sound radio station,
here.