As I finished this year’s Marathon, my first thought was “Never again” I had at 64 ticked a cherished desire off my bucket list as I had completed the 26.2 miles on a wet Sunday in 6 hours 10 minutes 17 seconds. But as the soreness and chaffing eased off and the realisation of what I had done crept in, I felt that I really needed to run it again so I could actually enjoy the whole experience. Why because from around 12 miles I was running in pain thanks to a femoral nerve issue.

So, when I heard about MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma) a charity that supports children born without eyes or have underdeveloped eyes. It was a no brainer that I should run for MACS.

While my own story is well known, what I have never disclosed was the story of my late cousin Ricky. Ricky was born in the early 1960’s with a number of medical conditions including cataracts which serious eye complaint, with his sight only being saved after a number of operations at the Institute of Ophthalmology in London. After hearing they were severely underfunded (nothing new there) my uncle set up a charity Research Into Childhood Blindness.

As this will definitely be my last marathon, I would really like to finish on a high both on the money I can raise & also going sub 6 hours. Now whilst you can’t help me with my desire to go sub 6 hours, you can help me raise a lot of money. Now, as part of my agreement with MACS, I’ve been asked to raise £1,500.00, but what I would like to do is raise a minimum of £2,000 and this is where you come in.

MACS is a small national charity supporting people born without eyes or with underdeveloped eyes. Every year in the UK, an estimated 114 children are born with no eyes, with small eyes or underdeveloped eyes. MACS provides vital support by facilitating peer-support networks, organising events and children's activities, and funding research. MACS is here to ensure no one affected by these conditions feels alone. For more information about MACS conditions and how we provide comfort and support to people impacted by them visit www.macs.org.uk.