I am running the London Marathon 2014 to raise money for the Brain Research Trust in memory of my dear father Richard Marriott, who tragically died of a brain tumour in September 2013. Dad was the healthiest person I knew so it was a real shock when he was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma in May 2011. He fought valiantly for two years but the tumour was too aggressive and he went downhill quite rapidly last summer. 

The Brain Research Trust (www.brt.org.uk) supports world-class research at UCL Institute of Neurology, which plays a crucial role in the fight to prevent and cure brain-related illnesses, including brain tumours. Many of us have family or friends with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or other brain-related diseases but brain research is woefully underfunded compared to some other areas. 

This is my first marathon and those who know me well will know this is no mean feat! I am decidedly nervous about the endless hours of training in the freezing cold and have already had 6 weeks off training with a calf injury. But all the pain will be worthwhile if I can reach my target of £4000 for the Brain Research Trust. Hopefully the research they support will one day be able to cure people like my father. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for any sponsorship that you are able to give. 

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