Completing the London marathon is something I have always wanted to do. It will be a real challenge for me, both mentally and physically, but one that I am excited by and ready to tackle head on. I am grateful that I am healthy enough to even consider a marathon and am therefore delighted to be raising money for Sue Ryder.

Excellent palliative care for those living with life limiting illnesses is essential for making every precious day count and to add quality to whatever time is left.

I was privileged enough to work in a hospice for 18 months during my GP training. During that time I saw physiotherapists ensure that a bride walked down the aisle to be married. I remember a clinical psychologist that helped a young patient come to terms with his diagnosis so he felt able to spend valuable time with his family, and recall a time when support staff assisted a football fan to what would be his final football match. In my role as a doctor within the hospice, I had the luxury of spending time with my patients and prescribed medication that eased pain and other associated symptoms, but but these specialist drugs were sometimes very expensive and only accessible to those patients receiving hospice care.

When end of life arrives, a ‘good death’ and access to the expertise required to achieve it should be available to all.

Sue Ryder is here to make sure that everyone approaching the end of their life or living with grief can access the support they need. There is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we require, but with Sue Ryder's support, no one has to face dying or grief alone. They are there when it matters.

Thank you so much for your support; your donation will keep me going on race day as well as the knowledge that we are raising money for such a wonderful cause.