We initially signed up for this marathon as an excuse for a weekend away; not too concerned about the run itself. But - providing our knees/shins/hamstrings etc don't give way - We couldn't waste an opportunity to raise even a small amount of cash for a charity close to our hearts.

Maggie's is a national charity which gives emotional, practical and social support to people affected by cancer and their families. They have centres across the country and the wonderful staff at Maggie's in Manchester did just that for Dan L's family while his mum embarked on her long recovery after being diagnosed with a brain tumour and operated on the same week in August 2014. Fortunately, Dan's mum has made an amazing recovery, in no small part down to the Maggie's team. Dan's sister wrote this piece for the Huffington Post about helping mum get back to her best - http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/deborah-linton/mum-in-the-middle-parenti_b_11763362.html

Our thanks will always go to the Maggie's staff for the part they played and we'd be very grateful for any donation to help Maggie's carry out their fantastic work, providing little retreats of calm, kindness and pragmatism among the chaos.

For some more info on Maggie's, here is a tour of their impressive centre in Manchester - https://www.facebook.com/bbcbreakfast/videos/vl.971775142927047/1489129131101220/?type=1&theater   and here's a link to their website - https://www.maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-manchester/

Thank you again.

Best,

Dan & Dan