Last year, I ran the Royal Parks half marathon. I took my “couch to half marathon” training plan rather too literally. It took me 3 hours and 11 minutes. I swiftly returned to the couch.

This year, I’ve changed my ways. I’ve done at least 14 training runs. And to mark my second year of half marathon-ing, I’ve signed up for two of them. The first will be the Royal Parks again, on the 14th October, and the second is in Victoria Park half on 8th December.

The running is all in aid of a cause that is close to my heart, and was equally close to the heart of my brother Chris: dementia research. Our Dad was diagnosed with dementia six years ago, at the age of 58. Dad continues to slip away a little bit more every day, but Chris was gone in a second, when he died in April 2015. So I’m running these half marathons in memory of Chris, for the cause he cared so much about. For our Dad, who was the most brilliant man I've known. For my Mum, who never imagined she would end up as a full-time carer but does the job with such grace and resilience. And in the hope that research can eventually prevent others like me from having to get off the couch in the future.

I’ve made my target, but if you’d like to join me in supporting Alzheimer’s research I know they could use your help, and I would really appreciate it.