I am running the London Marathon this year in memory of my Mum. As Easter Sunday turned to Easter Monday in late April 2011 she died 9 months post terminal cancer diagnosis. Carroll believed Easter was the most important day of the year, and having found healing and strength in religion through some dark times in her life, there was something almost poetic in the timing.

The preceding 9 months since diagnosis and the final 6 weeks at home were the most humbling of my life, and it was an absolute privilege to be able to care for her, as she had for us all of our lives.

It now seems fitting, to on Easter weekend to share this page, and that in 3 weeks, on the very week that 13 years earlier she died that I will be pounding the pavements of London if not solely for her, with her firmly in my mind.

Over the last 13 years it is no secret to those close to me that I have battled with grief for Carroll. Running has, over the years been an amazing way to channel my grief, to give me space to chat to her, and to push myself to the edge, and know it is nowhere near the challenges she faced in those 9 months.

So selfishly I am not turning up to the start line solely for my Mum, but once I'd decided I would be there, I wanted to choose a charity(s) to honour Carroll and her life. When considering which charity to support I was reminded of conversations I had with Mum in those 9 months. Two things she was adamant about.

Firstly she might die of cancer, but it would not define her. As a school teacher of 40 years, her work with, and love of children always shone through and as such much of our fundraising so far has focused on this.

Secondly she did not want to go to a hospice. This she felt so strongly about. She wanted to stay at home, and would not entertain the benefits a hospice would bring.

Seems strange that I am now fundraising for two hospices, but hear me out! Mine and my families links to these charities are outlined in detail on each individual page, but both are doing such amazing work. They aren't big charities, and won't benefit from the London Marathon in the way many larger charities will, but WOW the work they do is priceless. As such it was important for me to shine a light on charities that sometimes will go under the radar.

Whilst I want to honour Carroll through my run, I am raising money for those left behind. Those that step in to care for their loved ones, those that are left to pick up the pieces, and those that like me, find their lives so unimaginably impacted and altered by death and the grief that never leaves.

Finally, both charities are of special importance to my Dad, who although often forgotten (sorry Neil), shouldn't be. He has over the last 13 years been Mum and Dad to all three of us. Through weddings, babies, more weddings more babies, moving countries and everything in between.

Justgiving hasn't made it easy for me to raise money for two charities. To find out more about the charities I have chosen to support (and hopefully donate) click on my name next to each charity below. Both are small, local (to my family) charities who for the families they support offer light in the darkest of times.