Last year I ran my first marathon! I did this to support Dunoon Grammar School's mental health committee. I am running once again as part of a school staff challenge and clearly I had to raise the stakes!

So I am going to run two marathons in two days. Sunday 10th and Monday 11th March.

Both runs will take place in and around Dunoon. I want to keep this a local event so that people can get involved and run alongside me. I would like my colleagues and pupils to help me raise money for three very worthwhile charities which are particularly meaningful to me.

Teenage Cancer Trust. We all know about the incredible work they do. Cancer is a terrible disease and the fact that it affects so many young people really shows how indiscriminate it is. Unfortunately Dunoon Grammar School has not been immune to this and one of our young people has been directly affected.

Young Carers. Away from my role within the school, I also help out with our local Young Carers groups. We offer young people an opportunity to have some free time from what can be very demanding and stressful home lives. Young people should be able just be young people!

Olly's Wee Bothy. A local charity fundraising in order to provide holiday accommodation for families who have suffered the death of a child. The charity has been set up in memory of Olly Jones who was tragically killed in a road accident in Innellan shortly after leaving his school bus in August 2016. Olly was a fun-loving, energetic, outdoors kind of boy. The charity seeks to follow his spirit in the way it raises money. Having been involved in as tragic road accident myself I know all about the heartache involved.

Please, please, please help me to raise enough to make a wee difference to these charities.

I am also looking for runners to spur me on along the way. Even if you run a mile or two come and get involved!.