Hi Everyone,

On the 27th of April, I will be participating in the London Marathon to raise money for a charity close to my family's heart, Meningitis Now.

I would like to raise money and awareness for this charity as our daughter Nancy lost her life suddenly at the age of fifteen from meningococcal septicaemia.

Nancy had no typical signs of Meningitis when she fell ill, and rapidly deteriorated over a couple days. Even when taken to the doctors, they did not diagnose what she had and put it down to a viral infection.

This is why it is so important to raise awareness of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia, to avoid other families experiencing the heartbreak and devastation that our family suffered.

For those who do survive, many are left with life altering changes. Such as, brain injury, hearing loss, loss of limbs and sight problems. Meningitis Now offers support and guidance to those who have survived and their families to help rebuild their lives.

I am proud to participate in raising funds for this special charity, to help them to continue with their work in raising awareness and supporting the families that are left heartbroken by the loss of their loved ones.

This will be a huge challenge for me as I have never ran or walked anything close to a marathon before. I have been doing as much walking and running as I can to prepare. All I can say is with the help of my family supporting me and Nancy looking down on me, I will do my best. It's going to be a hard and emotional day.

Any donations would be a massive help and will not only motivate me but will be going towards a great cause.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Noel X