It's fun to stay at the Y M C A...

Hello peeps, as most of you will know I have been running for a lot of years now and I thought it was about time i did the ultimate and signed up for a Marathon!!! Yes i will be running 26.2 miles at probably the biggest and best marathon around-the London Marathon. I figured as i'm not getting any younger I should take the plunge now while i'm still able bodied :)

I will be running for the YMCA, which i'm sure most of you, like me, don't/didn't know much about. Aside from the fact that the song is absolutely amazing, they are actually an amazing charity and do so much good work-and its nice to raise money for a charity which doesn't get much coverage at these big events.

The YMCA supports 572,000 young people each year and exists to provide the essential building blocks for a full and rewarding life: a safe home; acceptance; guidance; friendship; physical and mental health; academic support; employment skills; and access to real opportunities.

Many young people have never known these things; other people have lost one or more as they grew up, but we all need them. All of us. The YMCA provides these critical foundations for a fresh, strong start for young people and a better quality of life in the community.

YMCA's vision in England and Wales is to transform communities so that all young people can belong, contribute and thrive.

The money I raise will help to provide safe accommodation for homeless young people, support for those with mental health problems and provide practical help with accessing education and training-everything young people need to help turn their lives around.

So please help me on my quest to complete this marathon, your kind words and support will undoubtedly get me over that finish line-minus a few toenails and utterly exhausted, but a massive achievement nonetheless.

Thank you all so much-Karen xxx