In May this year I am ditching the comfort of the Virgin Pendolino train and making my usual weekly trip home by running from London to Manchester in 5 days - a run of 200 miles. I am running back on the tow paths of the Grand Union Canal, Coventry Canal, Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal and Macclesfield Canal at a rate of around 40 miles per day.

I am doing this to collect funds for Macmillan Cancer Support who cared so brilliantly for my Mum in her final few weeks before she passed away in December last year. The medical and emotional support they provided for my Mum meant that she could fulfill her final wish to die at home which was very important to her. They also offered support for the entire family and helped us through those very difficult days - a fantastic cause.

Look out for more details of the run coming up in the Manchester Evening News and Stockport Express who have agreed to cover the story (many thanks to journalists Alice McKeegan at the MEN and Catherine Vine at the SE).

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 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 in memory of Kathleen Wallace and to help Macmillan Cancer Support.