Our daughter Meg was born with a serious heart condition and spent her first three weeks at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow. In January 2014 she celebrated her first birthday - and her first steps - with family and friends at home. Every aspect of her treatment, from the initial diagnosis before she was born, through her two operations and the ongoing care she is receiving, has been made possible by the pioneering research work that the British Heart Foundation undertakes. 

We can never repay our gratitude for this but I am trying to give a little back by running the London Marathon on April 13, 2014. And this is where I need your help. 

Meg may be the immediate motivation for my marathon but I am well aware that heart disease is likely to have affected your family or friends at some point. The work of the British Heart Foundation is vital in our understanding and treatment of the UK's biggest killer. So please, if you are able, make a donation - for Meg, or for someone important to you. We are all very, very grateful. Thank you.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.