March 2019, we lost a truly special soul. Katie, my best friend since early childhood, passed away unexpectedly at just aged 18 from an undiagnosed heart condition. Since we were three, Katie and I were inseparable. She was more than my best friend—she was family, the person who knew me best in the world. Katie's kindness and humor brightened every room she was in and moments she shared. Her sudden death left a void that is deeply felt, a reminder of the precious gift she was to everyone who knew her.

Katie always knew how to live life to the fullest and I'm determined to carry some of her passion for life to myself and those around us. A key thing about katie was that she did everything properly, perfectly and never in halves! This is what motivated me to enter a marathon, because well ‘ there’s no point in only doing half of it’ and if your going to do a marathon you may as well do THE LONDON marathon. So here’s me going head first into a crazy challenge for my always and forever best-friend!

I'll admit, I'm not a fan of running at all. As a former sprint swimmer, the idea of endurance or long-distance is very daunting. And training? Let's just say I was partial to skipping a few lengths—sorry, coaches! But this challenge is about more than just physical endurance. Its no secret that I've battled with mental illness and chronic health issues over the past decade, which made it impossible to plan anything long-term, like a holiday, more than a couple of months in advance. Historically, I couldn't go six months without a hospital admission for my mental health. However, this past December, I reached a significant milestone by staying hospital-free for the first time in a very long period, and I'm determined to extend that to the marathon at the end of April. That would mark 10 months without a hospital visit, a feat that once seemed unattainable to me.

Entering this marathon is a commitment to maintaining my health and continuing my progress. It's going to be a tough challenge in every possible way, but I am dedicated to making it to the start line and finishing this race for a cause that means so much to me.

I know your social feeds are likely filled with various causes and marathon efforts, but I'm here with a plea that goes beyond just fundraising. While supporting CRY financially is vital, increasing awareness and encouraging preventive screening for heart conditions are just as crucial. Please take a moment to explore what CRY offers and consider booking a scan if you're in the appropriate age group. If not for yourself, perhaps share this with someone who is. It's easy to assume that heart issues won't affect you or someone you love, but they can impact anyone at any time, regardless of their lifestyle or fitness level.

Heart conditions often remain hidden with no obvious symptoms, making early detection through screening essential. This isn't just about staying healthy; it's about saving lives. By encouraging more people to get tested, we can help prevent stories like ours. Your support could lead to more screenings and broader awareness, helping CRY extend its reach and impact. Thank you for considering this important step, and for any donations that support CRY's mission to provide these crucial tests.

Thank you for all your support,

Love Morgan x

Link to register for CRY scan near you: https://www.c-r-y.org.uk/screening/

CRY wants All young people to have the opportunity to have heart screening. 1 in 300 people CRY tests will have a potentially life threatening heart condition which will benefit from lifestyle advice, treatment and sometimes corrective surgery.