Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Helen Babbage (pictured) and I met at Brownies and over the 17 years that I knew her she was a brave and inspirational friend.  She had an infectious laugh and always a funny story to share.  She embraced life in spite of her illness and there wasn't much she couldn't do.  She had an active social life; she enjoyed camping and hiking; she never complained about her many hospital stays, often over birthdays and Christmases, and even persuaded the Royal Brompton nurses to let her out during the day for shopping trips on the Kings Road; she met and married the man of her dreams.  Four years ago, at the age of just 26, Helen lost her lifelong fight against Cystic Fibrosis. 

Anyone who has known me any length of time, and certainly anyone who shared a P.E. lesson with me at school, would agree that I'm about the last person you would expect to run a marathon.  But when the cause is good enough, you find a way to meet the challenge.  Helen lost her battle before a cure could be found, but across the world there are 60,000 others just like her who are still fighting.  The Cystic Fibrosis Trust are a UK-based charity.  They use their funds not only to research the disease and search for a cure, but also to help to improve the lives of those affected by this devastating condition.

On Sunday 18 April 2010 I will be running the inaugural Brighton Marathon in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.  I have committed to raise £400 but would love to raise even more.  I would welcome any support you are able to give me, be it pounds or pence, it all adds up.  If you knew Helen, or have yourself been affected by Cystic Fibrosis, or even if you are just feeling a bit charitable today, please donate what you can to help me achieve my fundraising goal, and to help the CF Trust to achieve everything they have in their sights.

For more information about the work of the CF Trust, please visit their website: http://www.cftrust.org.uk

Many thanks in advance for any support you are able to give.