<p class="MsoNormal">A few years back, around 2001, I had this notion that it would be a good idea to run the London Marathon. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>So, I applied for the ballot, but unfortunately, I wasn't one of the lucky ones whose name was drawn. Having psyched myself up to do it, it was a bit of a let-down and I vowed then that one day I would try again.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Years went past and although I did think about applying again, I never really had any motivating factors to do it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, that all changed when I lost my mother to Pulmonary Fibrosis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>After suffering for around five years, gradually getting shorter and shorter of breath; eventually having to be fed oxygen through tubes 24/7 and being more-or-less house bound with no quality of life; I think, after starting to hallucinating due to lack of oxygen, in the end, she just gave up and sadly passed away on 27th June 2009 aged sixty-nine.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">After her death, I realised I had to do something to help others who may be suffering from similar circumstances<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>- The London Marathon and get sponsorship for the British Lung Foundation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, as I was too late to apply in 2009 I applied in 2010 and in October I received the news that I had been fortunate to get a ballot place.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My aim is to complete the Marathon in less than 4 hours, but as I just started training it might be a bit of a tall order. If you want you can track my training progress at&nbsp;<a title="Sports Tracker" href="http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/view_profile/duthiega" target="_blank">Sports Tracker</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It&rsquo;s too late for my Mum, but if you give generously, hopefully your donation can help others fight this disease.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So please dig deep and donate now on this page or on the&nbsp;<a title="London Marathon Fund Raising" href="https://lunguk.tributefunds.com/fund/London+Marathon/showFund/">London Marathon Fund Raising</a>&nbsp;page I've set up.&nbsp;&nbsp;Either way all contribution will be attributed to my mothers&nbsp;<a title="Breath of Life " href="https://lunguk.tributefunds.com/fund/Enna+Duthie/showFund/" target="_blank">Breath of Life Fund</a></p>