And to add a bit of extra hurt as part of the build up to Challenge Roth I have already run Boston Marathon and completed Challenge Lisbon (a half iron distance triathlon) this year.

Why am I putting myself through all this?

I'm part of a small team of 8 friends, led by James 'Hatch' Hatchley. The team is called Team Hatch, and not one of us has ever attempted an ironman before. Our aim is for all 8 of us to get round the course before the 15 hour cutoff time, and in the process raise in excess of £100,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Hatch's daughter Emma was a great friend of Mia's at school. Emma had an extremely rare disease called Churg Strauss, and in 2014, aged just 15, she sadly suffered from related heart failure and was cared for at Great Ormond Street Hospital by their wonderful surgeons, doctors and nurses. They did absolutely everything in their collective power to save, stabilise and give Emma the chance of returning to a normal life. Emma's journey was always at the extremes of medicine and when her own heart could not be saved she was lucky enough to be given a transplant. Emma faced it all with courage and bravery but very sadly lost her battle on 30th May, 2014. The compassion, skill, love and friendship extended to Emma and her family by the staff of Great Ormond Street Hospital was humbling, and the work they do is amazing.

Each year, Great Ormond Street Hospital receives more than 255,000 patient visits from children and young people across the UK. The money that we raise will help these children and families at a time when they need it most. It will enable Great Ormond Street Hospital to provide world-class care for children and to pioneer new treatments and cures for childhood illnesses.

We will be swimming, riding and running for Emma!

Anything you can do to support me, the team and importantly Great Ormond Street Hospital would be wonderful. Thank you in advance for all your continuing support.