As most of you know, running doesn't come easy to me!! So there'd have to be a pretty big reason to make me run the marathon. And here it is...

18 months ago my dear friend Susan Andrews travelled to South Africa to volunteer her services as a nurse for the charity 'The Chain of Hope'. Tragically at the end of her time there volunteering, Susan was killed in a road accident.

I am running this marathon for Susan and for a cause that she dearly believed in.

The Chain of Hope was founded by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub and exists to provide children in under developed countries suffering from life-threatening disease with the corrective surgery and treatment to which they do not have access.

Around 1 child in every 100 is born with a heart defect. Most of these defects can be corrected by operations which are performed as a matter of routine in the developed world.

More information about the charity can be found at www.chainofhope.org.

You are donating to an extremely worthwhile cause to helps hundreds of chldren in countries that cannot afford the surgery to keep them alive. You are also helping to keep the memory of Susan alive.

I need to raise £1500 so thank you for your support!!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Chain of Hope gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.