Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On September 18 this year, alongside my friend Sam Robinson, I'll be running the Great North Run, for a very special cause.

Around seven years ago, my family's life was turned upside down.

My uncle, Mike Gregory, contracted Progressive Muscular Atrophy, a form of Motor Neurone Disease. What followed was four years of heartbreak and torment for my family.

Mike had enjoyed a wonderful career. Skipper for both Warrington Wolves and GB RL, he made many friends and gained many admirers for his 'Rip and Tear' attitude. Who can forget that famous try when we beat the Aussies in Sydney?

After that, he went into coaching. He worked with the acadamy set up at both GB and Wigan and was Shaun McRae's assistant at St Helens. But he was most proud when he guided his hometown side Wigan to the Grand Final and the Challenge Cup Final during his stint at head coach.

Unfortunately, his success was brought to a dramatic halt when he fell ill.

Michael slowly deteriorated, gradually losing the use of his arms, legs and speech. He never lost his fight though, nor his wit. Both were as strong and as sharp as ever.

On November 19, 2007, Mike passed away with his close family by his side.

Beforehand, he had planned to take part in the BUPA Great North Run with wife Erica. He was too poorly to even be pushed in his wheelchair.

In April 2008, alongside some fantastic Wigan Warriors fans who supported Mike throughout his illness, I climbed Ben Nevis in his name and now I'm training for something a bit more challenging.

That's right, I'll be running the Great North Run in September. Those who know me know I haven't led the most healthy of lifestyles after just leaving uni.

So with the help of the fantastic guys at RM Fitness, I've been put well and truly through my paces, eating and exercising to a VERY demanding level.

Hopefully, come September, 13 miles will be a pretty easy task.

All the money raised will go to the South Lancs branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association - a fantastic charity to help sufferers of this awful disease and their inspirational families.

Any support you give me would be very much appreciated.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.