In 2006 I pledged to run my first and only marathon to raise £10,000 for Yorkshire cancer charities.

Five years later I am embarking on my third marathon having raised just under £450,000. Inspired, encouraged and supported by my family, friends and colleagues it is now my goal to reach at least £500,000 and finally hang up my trainers. I am joined this year by a dedicated team of fellow Marathon Runners who will help me achieve this goal and they are Andrew Palmer, Bruce Tunstall, Lynn Peacock and Annette Lambert.

So, on 22 April 2012, we will all compete in the London Marathon on behalf of Marie Curie Cancer Care who provided my late wife Helen, our 8-year old daughter Lily and I, with such fantastic support when we needed it most.

Marie Curie Nurses provide care to terminally ill patients in their own homes or in hospices, while offering support to their families. They work through the night or during the day to provide care for patients in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their own home. They also provide practical and emotional support for carers and families at what can be an exhausting time. They provide that care free of charge to patients and carers. The team have personal experience of the fantastic work carried out by Maric Curie nurses.

Helen and Lily are the inspiration for my final marathon and I am determined to put in a good performance for them, but knowing that we have your support too will help us all to finish the 26.2 mile course, especially when the going gets tough!

Training has already started, it is going well and I am committed to trying to beat my previous personal best.

So please dig deep and join with me and the team to help the fight against this awful disease, with your help we really can make a difference.

Thank you for your support,

Gary Verity.