UPDATE: Due to ill health I am no longer able to do this event. I am incredibly disappointed. My colleagues at work will be climbing Pen-y-Ghent in lieu of my intended activity and I will recover as best I can and look at something for next year. If you have sponsored me please know that I will do something in place of this, when I am back on an even keel as best I can be with underlying health conditions. I am sorry. I hope you understand.

Ok, let's get this clear. I don't run. Ever. I never have, just ask my old teammates from my amateur footballing days. Still, earlier this year something inside me said get comfortable with the uncomfortable. So, just to ease me into this galloping game I'm going to run 13.1 miles in the Great North Run. The 0.1 is important, I am told.

I'm going for it. It'll do me good. Or it'll half kill me. Whatever the result I'm doing it for the charity I work for. Why? Simple; because I've seen Howlands change people's lives, because it changed mine. We help people who are disadvantaged in life find their confidence, forge friendships and create connections all whilst unearthing creative talents through arts and crafts. I am honoured to have become part of the Howlands family and I hope I'll do them proud.

I will be running with my (old) footballing friend, Craig Wood, who will be doing his best to guide me through the streets of Gateshead and get me across the finish line in South Shields.

For those that don't know I'm Severely Sight Impaired and a Stroke Survivor. This means running might be a bit trickier for me. I'm owning my challenges and doing it anyway. To quote a visually impaired content creator, Holly (Life of a blind girl): "I don’t want to be your “inspiration” simply for being disabled." If I do this then I'll expect my name to be preceded by the word "inspirational", at least for a day!

Please give if you can and help me help my friends at Howlands.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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