September 2023 I started a couch to 5k course with Abington Park Joggers having never run before, fully expecting to hate it and quit running once I ran the 5k.

I never expected to fall in love with running and get addicted to it, but here I am 15 months later signed up for my first marathon!

About a year ago, I began running with Jess who eventually became my main training partner after she practically bullied me into signing up for my first half marathon. She then signed up for the London Marathon (her first marathon too) but I was a hard NO on the idea of running a marathon until after I joined Northampton Road Runners, where I met a bunch of crazies who chalk off marathons and ultras like the rest of us chalk off parkruns!

So that's my running journey, now a little bit about the wonderful charity you'll be supporting with your donations.

Rays of Sunshine is a charity my family has been connected to for a while so I’m very grateful to the charity for giving me the chance to raise funds for it while running the world’s most popular marathon.

An amazing charity which grants wishes for children throughout the country with life threatening and life limiting illnesses, and which continues to support the kids and their families as they become part of the Rays of Sunshine family. Many of the families they help also then go on to support and volunteer for the charity.

Whether it’s meeting a hero, going on a dream adventure or a special day out, these experiences create cherished memories for children and their families during incredibly challenging times, and puts their illness on hold even if for just one day.

It's a brilliant small charity which makes the most out of every pound which is donated to it so please give generously and also tick the Gift Aid box if you’re eligible to.