Two years and four months ago I was laying on a hospital bed at St Barts Hospital in London having had open heart surgery. For several hours I had my chest sawn open so that a section of my aorta (the big artery leaving the heart) could be cut out and replaced with special tubing. If this had not been done, my aorta would have expanded until the point at which it burst open, causing immediately fatal internal bleeding.

Now, in less that three weeks, I will be running the Kings Forest 50km Ultramarathon (31 miles) which I am aiming to complete in 5 hours and 30 minutes.

This may sound crazy. To be honest, it seems crazy to me at times! However, if I'm able to complete this ultramarathon it will demonstrate that heart surgery (or any other diagnosis for that matter) does not necessarily mean an end to fitness and sports. It will also signify that I can reach the same level of fitness that I had in the years before surgery (I was crazy enough to complete an ultramarathon back in 2013).

However I need your help!

In training, I still haven't managed to run further than 25km (15.5 miles) and I don't actually know if I'll physically be able to complete this challenge. That's why I need as much support as possible and why I'm asking you to show your support by donating to this fundraising page - I've decided to run this ultramarathon on behalf of Norfolk Heart Trust who support people just like me - who have been born with and have to live the rest of their lives with heart disease. Norfolk Heart Trust are a fantastic charity which supports cardiology services by funding much needed, life-saving equipment.

I know there seems to be someone fundraising for another charity every week these days but every donation really will be a huge push for me on Saturday 12th October when I face this monumental challenge.

Thanks you so much.