I am not a long distance runner. I have a broken ankle and a shoulder that throbs with pain when I run because of a dislocation. I have done a few 10k runs in my time, mostly for charity, never at what anyone would call a decent time. In fact I have hated long distance running all my life.

But this is personal. My wife lost her father to blood cancer at the age of 13. By all accounts he was a wonderful man. Our younger son looks just like him to a degree that my wife's grandfather says the resemblance is almost shocking. My wife and her family went through a veritable ordeal - there was none of the support and information available that charities such as Leukaemia Care provide.

Recently a very dear friend has also been diagnosed with an uncurable blood cancer. His charity has provided him with great support and he has been an inspiration to us with the way he has spearheaded fundraising and other community initiatives to help the less fortunate.

I don't want to run long distance. But I am spending the year fundraising in memory of my father in law. In support of my friend. In support of my wife. In support of all those who suffer from blood cancers.

My wife and I are fundraising together. If you are able to support us please split your donations as both of us have a contractual target of £2300