This April I'm running the London Marathon and raising money for Macmillan. More on why I'm doing this below. My number is 42473.

As well as the chalIenge of making it through 26 miles and 385 yards I have agreed to run wearing a Saints shirt. As an avid Pompey fan this is probably going to be the most painful part of it all!

So please read on and if you can, donate. You can also donate by JustTextGiving text message (in the UK only). Just send the message KMIL99 along with the amount you wish to give to 70070. (For example: KMIL99 £2).

Why I'm doing this

In 2011 life was going along quite well. I remember we'd just had a break away in Brighton on our own and had a lovely time. Bea, my wife, had complained of feeling a little bloated and tender in the stomach area. I nagged her to go to the Doctor as this had been going on a while.

What happened next changed life forever. Bea was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer, the silent killer. Coming to terms with that, with two young children (Mikey was 12, Sasha was just 5), was very tough.

During this time Macmillan, who of course we'd heard of but not really had much to do with, became a fantastic source of help for us in so many ways. They made sure we got all the right support, guided us through forms and so on. Little things that matter so much.

Since being diagnosed Bea has been through chemotherapy and a major operation (in other words, to hell and back again). She is, amazingly, still here with us and I'm not sure I know a woman with a stronger will to live than Bea.

Running a marathon for Macmillan will be a tough personal challenge as it's been a long time since I've been fit (strangely lager and pool doesn't keep you as strong as 5-a-side and running) but I'm doing my best to ensure I will make it round. Yes, it'll probably hurt a bit but it's going to be nothing compared to what my wife and many, many others have to suffer each year dealing with cancer.

So please, give as much as you can afford for this very worthy charity.

 

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.