I am running the New York marathon on 6th November 2011. It is a huge personal challenge for me as I have never run a marathon before but I am attempting it in order to raise money for a very worth-while charity.

I am inspired to run by a girl called Octavia. She is the 14 year old daughter of some good friends of ours who has Type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). She is courageous, positive, resilient and grateful for every day - as are her parents. I salute them and I ask you to join me - and them - in finding a cure for this very debilitating illness.

This is the link to the Team Octavia Summary Page

http://www.justgiving.com/Team-Octavia

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a devastating, often fatal, muscular wasting condition that affects thousands of people, of all ages, race and background. It is the leading genetic killer of toddlers and babies. SMA affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, causing muscular weakness, severe disability and premature death. 50% of the most severely diagnosed cases result in death by the age of 2. 1 in 40 of us carries the gene that causes SMA. The prevalence of SMA is second only to cystic fibrosis.

This is a UK Just Giving site and donations need to be given in £ Sterling. Please note that the current S$/UK£ exchange rate is circa S$2: UK£1: and the US$/UK£ exchange rate is circa US$1.60/UK£1. For the most up-do-date exchange rates, please refer to www.xe.com/ucc

Thank you in advance for your support - however large or small it will Make A Difference and that is what Octavia has set out to do. I hope all the training will pay off on the day....

What is The SMA Trust?

The SMA Trust is the only charity in the UK dedicated to raising funds for research into Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is the leading genetic killer of toddlers and babies. SMA affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord, causing muscular weakness, severe disability and premature death. 50% of the most severely diagnosed cases result in death by the age of two. 1 in every 40 people carries the gene that causes this disease (around 1.5million people in the UK).

What is the momentum Campaign?

The charity has launched an appeal, the momentum Campaign, to raise £2million for more research into SMA. Researchers believe they are tantalizingly close to finding affective treatments. There has been some considerable progress in research into SMA around the world in recent years and the charity wants to build on, and maintain, that momentum. SMA is currently incurable and untreatable. Research is hope for families affected by this disease.

How are we raising money?

As part of The MAD! Challenge ((Momentum ADventure World Challenge) we are trying to raise £1 million this year for The SMA Trust's Momentum Campaign. Children with SMA are undertaking challenges and then challenging their team members to undertake their own challenges.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.