This year I am running the London Marathon - my very first marathon - on behalf of Linklaters LLP and for Disability Law Service.

Running is a huge passion of mine. I love the way it makes me feel and setting myself seemingly impossible goals and then somehow reaching them is a huge buzz. To be able to combine that passion with supporting an amazing charity is just an incredible feeling and I feel very lucky to be in this position.

My page donations will be sent directly to the charity in a fast and secure way. Its efficient, saves time and cuts costs for the charity.

Why am I running for Disability Law Service (DLS)?

DLS assist around 4,000 people every year through its helpline. The charity advises people who are often in distress as a result of discrimination or improper care being provided to them. It is thanks to fundraising efforts such as this that they are able to continue to provide support.

There are many ways in which this charity provides its support and I list a few areas below:

Fighting for access: A MS sufferer who was housebound and living in a ground floor flat where he was unable to use his wheelchair in the property due to its small size and forced to sit in the same position 7 days a week was helped by DLS. DLS arranged for him to have access to the community and is now living in accommodation where he is able to use his wheelchair to move freely around his home.

Care home accommodation: DLS, on behalf of its client whose own local authority had not agreed to provide funding for adequate accommodation or care, and who had been transferred to numerous hospitals over a significant period of time, worked directly with a hospital who agreed to fund the client's accommodation while a dispute between local authorities was resolved.

Workplace advice & assistance: Another client was on long term sick leave and unable to return to work unless specific adjustments were made. The workplace was a highly technical one, and the adjustments required many levels of specialist advice, including the provision of a dedicated support worker. DLS' advice and assistance ensured the situation moved from a possible dismissal to a successful return to work story (with back pay!).

Influencing government: DLS is regularly called upon to participate in policy making consultations by government, the results of which often change legal framework or the way in which public organisations work with disabled people. Being run by people with disabilities, and with their best interests at heart, DLS holds a unique position in effectively identifying and representing the views and needs of a wide range of its service users.