It's been 21 years since I first ran a marathon. That was the New York marathon which took place just 2 months after 9/11. It was an incredibly moving experience.

Fast forward to the present day and I'm going again, but this time in London. Back in April I found out that I had got a ballot place for this year's London marathon taking place in October for the last time, before it moves back to its regular April slot. After unearthing the email in my junk folder and recovering from the shock of essentially experiencing the runner's equivalent of a lottery win, I began my training back in May.It’s gone relatively well apart from a short break for a spot of Covid in early June. At lot has changed since I last did a serious marathon - (I'm now a wife, mother, have a semblance of a career and actually like running) - although I did complete the Marathon du Medoc (aka the wine marathon) with my husband back in 2017 - but that was motivated by thought of stopping for a drop of vino every couple of miles or so. If you're wondering, it is still 26.2 miles, just more 'relaxed' shall we say.

So I've spent the hottest summer on record running around the Chichester area, pounding the trails of the South Downs and the local roads in the heat preparing for this challenge. I've been thinking about fundraising as having a ballot place meant I wasn't under any obligation to. However, as a couple of very dear people in my life are facing their own personal health challenges, the opportunity to raise awareness and help support two charities that can help them and others facing similar challenges, was a no brainer.

I'm running for Myeloma UK (which supports people with blood cancer) and Alzheimer's Research UK. I'd be so grateful if you could spare just a few pounds to support either or both of these charities. Your support would mean a huge amount to me - I know that we are all facing challenging times right now so I'm hugely grateful for any donation. Thank you. And think of me on Sunday 2nd October. One thing's for sure, there'll be gin involved at the end. A lot of it. Thank you.

Please select one (or both) of the two pages below to donate - the first one is for Myeloma and the second is for Alzheimer's Research.