We are a group of friends who have decided to run the Leeds Marathon in May this year in honour of Kate's dad, Paul, who has recently been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

To show solidarity and support, we are trying to raise as much money as we can for the incredible MND Association. For the majority of us, it is our first marathon, and although we all share a love of fitness, it will be a huge challenge, particularly given the tough course.

We hope the money we raise can contribute towards making the life of Kate's dad, and anyone else living with the disease, better. £120 could provide an overbed table, making it easier for someone with MND to eat, drink and read safely and comfortably in bed; £280 could fund the coordination of care for someone with MND at a Care Centre for a year; £500 could provide a tablet device with specialist communication software, allowing someone to communicate with loved ones.

Even if you can give just a little, it would mean the absolute world to us.