As many of you already know, on Sunday 26 September I'll be taking part in the Run to the Beat Half Marathon - as a result I've chosen to support the Meningitis Research Fund in this endeavour.

The Meningitis Research Foundation is by far the largest funder of research into the prevention of meningitis and septicaemia of any charity in the UK and Ireland. They also strive to improve survival rates and outcomes, promote education and awareness to help reduce death and disability, and give vital support to those people affected by these terrible diseases.

Every year, as many as 3,500 people are affected by meningitis and/or septicaemia - sadly 1 in 10 of these will die, and many others will be left with severe after-effects such as brain damage, deafness and amputations. As someone with first-hand experience of these dreadful diseases, having been diagnosed with both meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia when I was younger, I know how important the work that this brilliant charity does is. I was lucky enough to escape with no long-term ill effects, however so many people are not so fortunate.

As such, I'm asking that all you lovely people help me raise funds to try and support the Meningitis Research Fund in all that they do. Just £25 could fund a whole hour of vital research, so anything, any sum at all that you can spare, will mean so much to both me and the charity.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my page, and your generous support will help so much when I'm struggling up the monumental hill in Greenwich park!

Maggie