My name's Natalie (Coxy) and I'm 29 years old. I lost my dad on 21st November 2014. He had recently been diagnosed with a form of lung disease called IPF Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (find out more here http://www.blf.org.uk/page/IPF ) which caused him to be breathless. He died suddenly 3 days before his specialist appointment (which we had battled the NHS to get moved forward) after getting the washing in when it had started to rain.

My mum came in from work and found him passed away. Being a typical daddy's girl my world was crushed and my perspective on life and people totally changed. I felt lost and totally gutted that my dad would no longer be there for important events in my life. He wouldn't be there to walk me down the aisle in June 2016, see any children I may have and laugh at stupid things I did.

We then lost my dad's sister exactly one month later on 21st December 2014 after a long battle with COPD and many trips in and out of hospital. I believe that she lost a bit of her fight for life spirit after losing my dad who she loved so much. Her funeral was on 31st December 2014 and as a family we all decided 2015 would be a better year.

Well that was until I fell at work on New Years Day and broke my scaphoid, injured my rotator cuff and tendon.... Talk about things in 3's!!! So after a long time in pink glittery plaster cast (turns out they employ fairy godfathers in NHS plaster rooms now!!) I finally managed to get out and start running again in May.

Despite all the hardship and small amount of training time I have decided to run the Great North Run 2015 and who better to run for than the British Lung Foundation. When my place was confirmed and I nominated my chosen charity I felt I had something to run for this year and to keep me motivated when the training got hard.

I have completed the race previously in 2013 running for charity with an injury yet still loved it and although I won't be running a fantastic time I'm determined to get around and finish with a cheesy grin on my face!

Thanks for your support and donations :)