My beautiful mother, Wanda Ratajczak, lost a two year battle with Motor Neurone Disease on Sunday 14th January 2024. She fought an incredibly cruel disease with the strength, willpower and unwavering positivity that only Wanda possessed.

For those that didn’t know Wanda personally, I am doing her a disservice by trying to explain what she was like. You really did have to meet her to understand what a unique and special mother, wife and friend she was. Even through her lowest moments, she would be the shining light of any room and completely selfless in putting others before her.

I have chosen to raise money for Challenging MND, a brilliant charity that supports families affected by MND in a number of ways:

- Firstly, providing families with the means, financially and logistically, to have experiences with loved ones affected by MND. This creates lifelong memories that can never be taken away whilst this cruel disease takes away a person’s independence and previous way of life.

- Secondly, providing families with respite by supporting them to pay for professional carers who can support individuals with MND.

My great friends Brad, Danny, Krzys and Jack have all decided to join me in this fundraising effort and we will be running the Richmond Half Marathon on Sunday 10th March. Please consider giving generously to this amazing charity so we are able to make memories and support those affected by MND. Wanda was incredibly passionate about raising awareness and being a support network for others affected by MND, so I would be very proud to support Challenging MND by raising some much-needed funds in tribute and honour of my late mum.