I've been working as a fundraiser, supporting all the amazing people taking on challenges in aid of charity for the last six years, and I've decided now is the time to put my money where my mouth is (or your money...please!?) and take on the London Marathon myself! And as for Rick... he stupidly entered the ballot and was one of the rare lucky ones who was successful on his first try! 

We were due to run the London Marathon in April 2020, which unfortunately was cancelled due to the pandemic. We managed to drag ourselves out for the Virtual London Marathon in October 2020, completing our first marathon distance in around 5 and a half hours (including some much needed rest breaks). We are both lucky (is that the right word?!) to have a place in the London Marathon on 3 October 2021, and we are working on building up our running distance again after losing motivation at the start of the year. We certainly won't be the fastest marathon runners out there, but we would love to get out there and raise as much money as we can for my charity, The National Brain Appeal.

The National Brain Appeal is the charity that provides much-needed funds to support The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology – together known as Queen Square. This is one of the world’s leading centres for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with neurological and neuromuscular conditions. These include stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain cancer, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.

One in Six people are, or will be, affected by a neurological disorder. I am sure you will know someone close to you who has been affected. I lost my Nanna to Alzheimer's Disease and will be keeping her in mind as I run, along with the 14.7million people in the UK with a neurological condition.

Queen Square is a truly remarkable place that is constantly finding innovative new ways of treating disorders of the brain and spine. I know from my conversations with current and previous patients just how exceptional the care is at The National and many would not be here today without Queen Square's technologies and research (much of which has been funded by The National Brain Appeal).

We would be so grateful if you could sponsor us for running the marathon and support the invaluable work of The National Brain Appeal. Thank you! x