Dear all

Approximately 2 and a half years ago my dad was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).  It is a terrible disease with no known cure (and is the disease that Prof Stephen Hawking is suffering with).  It slowly stops the neurones working that take the messages from the brain to the muscles so the sufferer's muscles gradually deteriorate.  Usually it’s the muscles in the legs that are the first to go but for my father it was the muscles in his throat – he was unable to swallow or speak properly and eventually had to have a peg fitted to his stomach to feed him – he had nil by mouth for just over a year. Then the rest of his muscles followed suit and he slowly declined becoming virtually helpless.  During this time the North East MND trust (set up to provide support for suffers of MND and their families and care givers) gave invaluable help and advice to my mum and dad with their drop in centre until he gave up the battle and died peacefully on 8th January 2007.

Most of you will know that I am a fitness instructor in my spare time but believe me, this run will still be a challenge for me. I used to run a lot years ago and consequently strained the capsules of both hips and was told I'd never be able to run again so was advised to do non-impact exercise like swimming.  Nevertheless years of yoga have improved my hip joints to the point where I can now do any form of impact exercise and I've been training hard with no problems.

I'm doing this run for the Trust to say a huge thanks for all their support and help both whilst my dad was still alive and for the help they've given my mum after his death.

The picture is of me sitting at Marsden Cliffs in South Shields where the run ends.

I really hope you'll all dig deep and help out this amazing charity

Many thanks for your support.

Lots of love

Elaine xxx