Myasthenia gravis is a neurological disease that manifests itself in various types of muscle weakness. I had heard the name before, but it was only when one of my best friends Emma got diagnosed with it a couple of years ago that I realised what it was and what a profound and debilitating effect it can have on a person's life, impacting everything from their mobility to their speech.

Emma has had it particularly bad, making hospital visits for operations, monthly plasma exchanges and other issues related to the condition, a regular part of her life. Through all of this, she has dealt with the huge changes it has brought with great strength and humour, and she has  benefited from the help of Myaware, the major charity for myasthenia sufferers in the UK. As well as attempting to fund research into a cure for the condition and specialist nurses to help those affected by it, they also provide information, advice and emotional support informally and formally through their counselling services.

I'm running the London Marathon for my friend Emma, and I'd be massively grateful for any donations people can give to Myaware. They are a very small charity and reliant on events like this to do their work, so anything you can give would be hugely beneficial for the charity, and for myasthenia sufferers all around the country.

Cheers!