Update: Mon 20 Sept  I DID IT!  I completed the Great North Run in 2 hours 52 mins - a bit slow for me but at least I finished (must do more training next time).  The weather was mixed but just right for running, though I didn't appreciate the downpour at the end.  But it was very good of the Red Arrows to fly over just as I was crossing the finish line :-)  Thanks for all your donations and messages of support.  I'd still like to get my total raised up to £500 so if you've got any spare cash that you were planning to give to charity this month, please click the "Donate now" button.

2010 is the 10th anniversary of my dad passing away.  The staff at Myton Hospice were wonderful to him in his last few weeks of life - I don't know what we would have done without them, so I'm pleased to be raising money for their charity this year.

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. I've given several times via JustGiving and I've never had any problems.  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.