I am wishing to raise funds for Kidney Research Yorkshire. Kidney Research Yorkshire advances knowledge through research and helps to relieve sickness through the promotion and support of scientific clinical and transplant research in Yorkshire, to benefit children and adults suffering from kidney disease.

Kidney disease is a silent killer and figures show that more than three million people in the UK are suffering from it right now. It is estimated that one million people don't even know they have it, and there is no cure. Since 1970 Kidney Research Yorkshire has supported the research and development of treatments, meaning patient and public awareness has increased, consequently saving lives. However current health trends and an ageing population, along with the diversity and variety of kidney diseases that are prevalent means that the likelihood of kidney disease striking becomes ever greater. Living with kidney disease impacts every aspect of life- what you can eat and drink, your ability to work, holidays, quality time with family- all the things we can do are impacted by this condition.

I have seen first hand the value of the support that charities like Kidney Research Yorkshire can offer and their work is particularly pertinent to my family and especially to my uncle, Giles McVicar. At the age of 17 Giles had his first heart transplant. At 26 his second heart failed and he was forced to undergo another heart transplant. Ever since the first transplant he has had to take a number of immunosuppressant drugs as part of his daily routine, to ensure that his heart does not fail again. Over time these immunosuppressant drugs have had an adverse effect on his kidneys and he is now facing kidney failure. He is currently undergoing dialysis in Leeds with the hope of getting on the kidney transplant list soon. I am hoping the money I raise will aid research in to how kidney failure caused by immunosuppressant drugs can be prevented.

Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page- any donations are whole-heartedly appreciated and will certainly spur me on through my training in order that I achieve my goal of a personal best time this September.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.