I left a bit of me on the Ridgeway. A bit of me that I want to find again. To pinpoint what that 'bit' is, isn't that easy, but as anyone who has taken on an ultra, or any form of endurance event, will know, you're left with a lot of 'what ifs' and 'if only', regardless of the outcome.

Back in 2017, I finished the event (somehow!) – a non-stop, 86 mile ultramarathon across an old Roman path called The Ridgeway, from Ivinghoe Beacon, to Avebury. On September 2nd, at 10am, I’ll be back on the start line of the event to find that little bit of me that I left there! Once I find it, I’ll know what it is! Promise I'll let you know!

Crazy? Yeah, just a little… but it’s all in the name of an extremely good cause. This year I will be raising money for a local MK charity, The Henry Allen Trust.

Those of you that know me will be really surprised to know that I met his parents, Dawn and Mark, in my local pub… I know, shock, horror!

Henry Allen was just two years old in February 2012 when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma cancer. Henry went through two years of gruelling tests, painful treatments and surgeries, yet Henry smiled. His happiness and bravery just astonishing.

Henry's happiness won the hearts of the local community and the fundraising began – fundraising initially for treatment abroad. Henry's condition deteriorated and there were no more options. He came home and sadly on 20th October 2013, superhero Henry gained his angel wings. Gone but never forgotten.

Wanting to help other families find the happiness he’d always spread, Henry made his mum and dad “pinkie promise” to follow his dream – to help other children and their families create memories and fulfil wishes… and oh my do they work hard doing just that! 

So I’m training hard… starting from a much lower fitness benchmark as to where I was last time, and have about 5 months to get 86-mile ready.

What would really spur me on, to make those long evening and early morning training runs that little bit more bearable, is if you would dig deep into your pockets, and donate to this incredibly worthy cause. Anything, any amount, all adds up and helps towards finding some happiness for families in a time of pain.

Thank you x

www.thehenryallentrust.org.uk