Yep, I'm running the London Marathon!

Most of you are well aware that I am not, and never have been, a runner. Until now anything more than a 200m sprint was reckless in my book. The marathon was for watching on the beeb and picking out family, friends and celebs... that's it! So why now, why am I doing it, and why for the first time ever am I asking you to support me.

For my Mum and the Multiple Sclerosis Society

I'm going to run 26.2 miles in the 2025 TCS London Marathon for my mum (cause she's my hero) in support of the MS Society.

In her early 30's my Mum was struggling with various symptoms of pain and fatigue. Having first been told it was viral she was subsequently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Over the last 40 years (most of my life) she has had to accept, manage and adapt to an ever changing condition that is both physically and mentally exhausting. Having first been diagnosed with Benign MS (the stable one) she has subsequently climbed through the MS levels like a pro gamer, passing Relapsing Remitting MS (the common one) and moving up to expert level with Secondary Progressive MS (bit more naughty).

For both my Mum and my Dad, the impact of MS has been described as annoying, frustrating and disappointing. It has caused sadness, fear, anger and countless other emotions that have been difficult to navigate... but have been navigated nevertheless. They live to their fullest, with laughter as their tonic, and we try to do as much and as many things as we can.

When I think about why I am doing this I simply have to think about the discomfort my Mum obviously has every day, but also the mental strength she has had to find... if she can get through 40 years of this nonsense then surely the least I can do is drag my body round the streets of London and raise vital funds for a charity that is fighting for people like my Mum.

I can walk (and run) unaided, the last time I saw my Mum do that was my wedding day 16 years ago - she arrived at church and with stick in hand she walked down to her seat. That remains one of the happiest moments of my life, I'm so proud to be her son, so I am going to run the marathon and I simply ask YOU to support me as much as you can.

(FYI you can click on my background picture and scroll for more photos of my Mum)

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Living with MS demands changes - some you would rather not make truth be told - and a strength of character that my Mum and Dad have in abundance. It's not easy to stay positive but my Mum does. Throw in support from family and friends (and a sprinkle of dark humour to get through the day) and the end result is my hero... my Mum.

For those of you that don't know, MS is an unpredictable and incurable condition that affects the nervous system. It can attack suddenly or progress steadily, bringing a range of symptoms which can include sight loss, incontinence, fatigue and mobility problems. No-one with MS can be sure when or how it will affect them next.

My Mum was diagnosed with a form of MS that is slow and debilitating over time. Since her initial diagnosis it has been 40 years, culminating in wheelchairs, ramps, handles, stairlifts and enough tablets to stock a chemist for a lifetime. However, my mum will be 74 come marathon day and I'm very conscious that we may be the lucky ones. MS is indiscriminately horrendous and can be far more aggressive, stealing lives away from people at a much younger age.

Where your donation is going

Your money will be going to the MS Society to fund vital research into the causes of MS and possible treatments. They provide a helpline service, answering the calls of those looking for advice and support. Their people, content and knowledge provide the education and help people with MS need. There is still so little known about MS comparatively to other conditions. Some of the observations about where cases of MS are (and aren't) along with some of the potentially ground breaking treatments could finally swing things back in favour of us mere humans... I hope so and I believe providing funds to the MS Society is the best thing you could be doing for me and my Mum.

Lets raise some dosh and have a good giggle at my suffering through 26.2 miles... what have I signed up to! ha ha. Lets Go!