Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page! I am running the London Marathon 2021 to raise much needed funds for Versus Arthritis, a wonderful charity that invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis. 

This marathon will be incredibly challenging for me both physically and mentally - prior to the lockdown last year when I took up running to keep my sanity in tact, I had only ever managed one very slow and miserable 5k.Those who know me will know that I am not a natural born runner; I like eating too much, boozing too much and generally enjoy being as lazy as possible, so the thought of running 26 miles makes me want to run a mile (literally). However, I am going to give it my all, spurred on by the strength of both my niece, Aria, and my mum, Christine, who both have arthritis and despite the pain they are both in, get up and get on with it every day.

My wonderful niece Aria, 4, has Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) having been diagnosed just after her second birthday. She is often in pain and the medication and treatment can be painful and traumatic, but she takes it all in her stride and faces each day with a lovely little smile, rarely complaining about how poorly she feels. My mum has osteoarthritis; a nurse for over forty years, she continues to work long shifts on her feet all day despite the pain she is in. She goes above and beyond to support others and is an amazing mum and nanny to Aria. They are my inspiration!

Millions of people wake up with arthritis every morning and face the day in pain, without the support and recognition they deserve. Please sponsor me so that together we can overcome the pain, isolation and fatigue of arthritis.

Please dig deep - thank you so much!