My cousin Frances is participating in the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games which takes place in Dublin from the 14th-17th June 2018 and my aim is to run the Manchester Marathon ( my first marathon) to raise funds to help with the costs of sending her and a team of helpers there.

Frances was born mentally and physically handicapped due to complications during her birth and her parents, Anne and Anthony, were told that she would never walk, talk or recognise them as her parents and along with other difficulties, her life expectancy has always been unknown. However, because of the hard work and sheer determination from a very early age by Frances, her parents and her brothers, she is now 33, and although she requires full time care, she communicates with us all in her own way, she is walking, loves horse riding and is a very important part of our family.

In order to attend the special olympics, Frances will need the assistance of a nurse and a carer during her time at the games and I'm hoping the money I raise running the marathon will help towards this.

Any donations would truly mean a lot to me and also to Frances. I'm sure she will do us all proud at the games and I'll try and finish the marathon in one piece!