Race number: 53805 - follow that for the location of some freshly scorched tyre marks!

The Bird Boys are hitting the road and running the London marathon as a 4! This year we have been lucky enough to have been allocated one of the ten assisted running places in the London Marathon. We will be running with Justin in a custom-built manual chair with goal of completing the distance in under 4 hours.

Many of you will know us – some maybe not – we are Oliver, Alastair, Justin and Tristan Bird. Justin and Tristan were born on the 29th February 2000, possibly one of the first Leap British identical twins in the Second Millenium, and 10 weeks premature. Complicated even before they were teenagers, Jus was diagnosed with severe quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and has been a wheelchair user from the get go, requiring multiple surgeries and interventions. Tris had a really shaky start but rallied unit he needed a kidney transplant at the age of 15 which, thanks to the organ bank of Mum, was successful.

Despite this complicated scenario we have never let this slow us down as a family from adventuring in the Welsh mountains and the Lake District, spending summers in Suffolk and Anglesey fishing and sailing, each twin has grabbed life by the balls and hasn't let go yet.

We are immensely proud of the young men they have grown into and look forward to crossing the line together.

Part of the reason we have taken our time with announcing the above is because we were unable to decide upon a cause to represent. Over the years we benefitted from and become close to several causes each unique to our journey.

Inevitably, we have benefitted from and become close to several casuses unique to our journey. This year we have chosen to represent two charities - the first is the Alder Hey Children's Kidney Gund which works to support all those in renal failure and their carers and families from start to finish. This unbelievable energy and resilience shown in the kindness, expertise, and wisdom of those associated with this small and mighty charity is second to none.

Also we have Whizz Kids - if there's one thing we've learned it's that the sooner wheelchair users get access to expertly fitted and appropriate mobility options the more they can engage with friends, family, school and the community. Life becomes richer for less physically able young people and their families. Those of you who have met Justin know how much he values his independence through the availability of wheelchairs. We believe every child should be provided with a means to explore and make their own way in life.

Not a Team to shirk from a challenge, we are aiming to raise £5,000 for these terrific charities.

All donations would be greatly appreciated and genuinely do make a difference.

Thank you,

Ol, Al, Jus & Tris