Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

For years I've kidded myself that I'm a runner.  I ran with my local running club - we ate cake at the end of each run and we cheered at the opportunity to stop whenever a cattle grid or stile came into view - is that proper running?! 

I've run half marathons in the past, I have actually run a marathon round Rutland Water (although as I live near there, it didn't really feel like a race).  And, when you are a member of a running club, the London marathon is the one running goal that you all aspire to - you are in awe of those that complete it, and feel disappointed (but secretly relieved) when you enter the ballot (because everyone enters the ballot) and get your rejection magazine 6 months later.

That was all years ago.  Since the Rutland Water marathon, I've had two children, got divorced (that's another story) and generally given up on running due to the lack of time.  Plus, to be honest, when my children aren't with me, I'd much rather have a glass of wine and a chat than put my trainers on.  But, caught up in the excitement of watching the marathon and feeling like I was at some sort of life turning point, I entered the ballot.  I said to myself 'its so unlikely I'll get a place, it doesn't really matter - I'd quite like the fleece you get if you donate your entry fee' (yes, I can be that shallow).  I never thought for one second that I would be successful - how wrong I was!!!!

So that is how I come to be preparing myself for the London marathon - I got a place in the ballot.  No need to fundraise, no need to worry about anything really - including training, as it has turned out.  I have not done enough running, I have not done enough thinking about it and I certainly have not grasped the seriousness of the situation.  But, I am fully aware of how many parents find themselves in serious situations which is why I am raising money for the Teenage Cancer Ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary.  Everyone asked me which charity I was running for - because a lot of people only get a place in the marathon through a charity.  I started to feel that if the expectation was that I would be fundraising for something, then I should take advantage of the platform I had been given and raise some money for something close to my heart - the Teenage Cancer Ward is close to my heart.  When I say that many parents find themselves in serious situations, none can be more serious than a parent finding out their child is not just ill but has cancer.  My friends - who I stand with week in week out at our sons' football matches - have recently been in that situation with their eldest daughter.  I can't imagine anything worse than being told your child has cancer, can you? Thank goodness for places like the Teenage Cancer ward who provided treatment and support right on our doorstep to young people who are dealt such a cruel hand at such an important stage in their lives.  It has become their second home and their lifeline.  They have lived through awful times and are - thankfully - coming through it.  If they can do that, then I can't possibly complain about a marathon, but I can raise some money to help a Ward who helped them so much.  It's the very least I can do.

My plea to you then is to send a couple of £'s my way.  It will go directly to the Teenage Cancer Ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary.  It will help other families like it has helped my friends and it will help me drag myself around the 26.2 miles on April 23rd.  Let's face it, I need some motivation, because as far as I know there are neither cattle grids or stiles on this route.  I just hope there is cake at the end.....