I am running on behalf of my 13 year old niece Emma, who has been diagnosed with FSGS and really hope that I can raise as much as possible to help research into her illness. Here is her story in her own words:

My name's Emma and I've just turned 13, but I can't enjoy being a normal teenager.  Last year, after being very ill, I was finally told that I have a very rare Kidney Disease called FSGS.  Kidney Research is funding the research carried out by a charity called NeST, who are doing a study on FSGS.

Please help me to raise money directly for NeST as I desperately need them to find a cure for FSGS.  Without a cure, both my Kidneys will stop working and I will need to spend the rest of my life having to be hooked up to a Dialysis machine, for many hours, nearly every day.  Even a Kidney Transplant may not make me better, as FSGS can also attack transplanted kidneys..

Since May 2009 I have been training with Chineham Park Running Club to get my level of fitness up to the standard required to take part in half marathons, and I succeeded on Sunday 21 February 2010 in being able to complete the Wokingham half marathon in 1 hour 55 minutes. My aim now is to complete the Reading half marathon on Sunday 21 March 2010 and raise as much money as I can for NeST so they can help Emma and others like her.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, if you could spare even a small amount to help, them both Emma and I would be so grateful - Thank you.