<p>On April 22nd 2012 I will be running the London Marathon in aid of the Berkshire Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre (BMSTC).</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As many of you will know my mother suffered from multiple sclerosis for 10 years and sadly died in April this year. She visited her local therapy centre for several years and benefited enormously from their services in particular the emotional support, physiotherapy and oxygen therapy. I am running in her memory for&nbsp;this brilliant charity and would be really grateful for any sponsorship.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The BMSTC is a charity based in my home town of Reading which offers practical and&nbsp;emotional&nbsp;support&nbsp;for people with multiple sclerosis,&nbsp;and their carers and families in Berkshire and the surrounding area. The therapies they offer include physiotherapy, oxygen therapy, massage, yoga and reflexology. The BMSTC is self-supporting and costs about &pound;360,000 a year to run.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I have never run a marathon before so will be training very hard over the next few months. Although I will be thrilled simply to get round in one piece, Roger's fantastic 2002 London Marathon time of 4 hours 6 minutes is nagging away at the back of my very competitive mind........</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">UPDATE: January 1st 2012</span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">I have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of my sponsors. Thank you so much! </span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">The sixteen week countdown to the marathon has begun and in recognition of everyone's generosity I have decided to avoid alcohol until after the marathon. I am not sure which will be harder - the training or the abstinence!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: #003300;">UPDATE: 11th March 2012</span></p> <p><span style="color: #003300;">Thank you to everyone who has helped me exceed my target of &pound;2000. If you haven't yet sponsored me, please don't let the fact that I have reached my target put you off sponsoring me! Every donation helps this self funding charity and is greatly appreciated. I would love to raise even more for them to help them support people with MS.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #003300;">Ben (7) and Jonah (6) wanted to help me with my training and fundraising and have decided to enter the Green Park Challenge with me on April 1st. This is a 2.8K race run on the same day as the Reading Half Marathon and finishing (like the Reading half) in the Madjeski Stadium. The boys are thrilled that they will be getting medals! Have a look at the pictures of us (and our supporters) in our running tops!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #003300;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;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&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank you!</p>