Like many people I enjoy running. Not vast distances, but I find it great to clear my head and to keep fit - ish ;o) The idea however of completing a marathon has never really been on my radar. All the things that put so many off have always been a great excuse - the distance, time, training, and wether my 55 year old frame, come April next year, will take it.

But then I found out earlier this year that a dear dear friend has been diagnosed as having Motor Neurone Disease ... MND. Such devastating news on so many levels. Not least for my wonderful friend and her amazing partner.

So all my thoughts and reservations were thown out of the window when thinking of anything I might be able to do, to help support both her and the fight for a cure for MND, however small.

I knew so little about MND as a condition; and perhaps wrongly often associated it with men and sport. Rob Burrows, Doddie Weir and Stephen Hawking have all been amazing with dealing with MND, promoting the drive for a cure, and simply living with it (as have their friends and families).

My purpose thesefore is simple; to raise money in support of my wonderful friend, in support of all those who have MND, in support of all those that MND affects more widely; and so help find a cure, to stop this happening to others in the future.

My aim is to raise £5555 - nothing to do with my age next April of course :o) - With this in mind, it would be amazing if you would support me and the amazing MND charity https://www.mndassociation.org/. I would be so very grateful for any donations that people feel able to make. And for anyone who can spare £55 or more, let me know the name of someone you would like to remember, and I'll print it on my race day shirt; so that for over 26 miles next April, we can remember them with both fondness and determination, together.

Thank you for reading. And 'Bravo' to all affected by MND. You are all heroes.