UPDATE:  Thanks for visiting my fundraising page supporting The Brain and Spine Foundation in the London Marathon, which I FINISHED on Sunday 26th April in 5 hours and 40 minutes! 

Here's the reason why I went through all that agony:

In 1994, my late mother, Marcella, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, and spent several months at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, and subsequently at their rehabilitation centre in Finchley. 

The skills of the surgeons and medical staff at both centres allowed Mum a further 13 years of life, and although the tumour changed her for ever, she would never have been given the gift of those extra years without the medical expertise available to her. 

I am trying to raise money for this very worth-while charity to help others with neurological disorders like my mother.  If you would like to support this cause, please consider donating through Justgiving: it  is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Brain and Spine Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Thank you everyone for your brilliant support!