Last year I ran the Gobi March for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust in honour of my cousin Emma Kingston, who was battling this crippling genetic disease which causes the lungs and other vital organs to clog up with thick, sticky mucus.

On Monday 8th July, at only 20 years old and just ten days after her interview on British television raising awareness of organ donation ( http://youtu.be/JfSsRBsG-OQ ), our beautiful, brave, funny, vibrant girl was taken from us far too soon. Before she got the chance for a lung transplant that would have bought her more time, she was hit by an infection that even our little fighter couldn't come back from.

 

In the TV clip, Emma speaks of her dream to run a marathon, something she will now never do. From Sunday 4th- Saturday 10th August I will be participating in Racing the Planet's ultramarathon across Iceland. This involves running 250km (6 marathons, feels a bit greedy somehow...) in six stages during the week, completely self-supported with a backpack containing around 9kg of supplies.

 

I was admittedly not originally intending to run for charity... I have been struggling with numerous injuries, unable to get fit, and unsure I could finish. However, the events of the last week have certainly put a sore foot into perspective. I won't be at the front of the pack, but even if I have to crawl this thing I will be finishing it in tribute to Emma.

Any amount you can manage in her memory would mean a lot to my family. The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is an amazing charity that provides support to sufferers and their families, as well as funding research into treatments that are extending life expectancy further every year. It was a cause that she championed tirelessly throughout her short but wonderful life.