For those who know me well (or even just a little), you will know that my participation in the Great North Run will be a great personal challenge. This unfit "40 something" has now shed almost 2 stones in weight and has struggled to maintain a training regime for most of this year. Here is a photo of me training earlier this year (and a lot heavier) just to prove it!

Being Macmillan Cancer Relief's Fundraising Manager for Northumberland, my chosen charity is, of course, Macmillan. I've helped our Team Macmillan runners in our recovery marquee at the end of the run for 4 years now and now I'm finally going to find out how welcome this can be.

I know the run won't be easy but I'm sure I will be spurred on by the atmosphere. It will surely help me to cross the finishing line knowing that my efforts will help Macmillan to offer practical and emotional support to people living with cancer.

As I contact so many of you "on-line" now, I decided that asking for your support in this way would be the most efficient way for me to raise funds for Macmillan's local Appeal. Please remember that if you are a UK taxpayer, your donation will be increased by almost a third at no cost to you.

l do hope I will be able to count on your support.

Many thanks.

Helen
P.S. Please pass on this message to as many of your friends as possible.