Update (19/04/10)

I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sponsored me and supported HSF - we have significantly exceeded the fund raising target which is amazing. I finished the Brighton marathon yesterday in 3hrs 26mins which I'm really pleased with, especially given the heat (and my sun burn today!). The crowds and the sponsorship support really helped in the last few miles.

Thanks again,

Alex

Hi, I’m Alex and thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

After 4 months of training (and approximately 400+ miles mainly in the snow / rain) I will be running the inaugural Brighton Marathon on the 18th April 2010 to raise money for, and awareness of the Hughes Syndrome Foundation (HSF).

HSF is a UK registered charity dedicated to promoting awareness and funding research into Hughes Syndrome (or "sticky blood" as it is also known). Hughes is an autoimmune disorder which can lead to many conditions including heart attacks, strokes and blood clots, and it can also be the cause of recurrent miscarriage.  I became aware of the condition and the charity through a friend, Beth Willis, who first suffered a stroke at the age of 24 and then went on to suffer multiple blood clots on her lungs before being diagnosed with Hughes.

The blood test for diagnosis is simple (and cheap), and the disorder is potentially treatable, however as the condition is relatively new it often goes undetected or misdiagnosed. HSF are raising the profile and awareness of Hughes Syndrome so that they can discover more about its causes, prevalence and treatment, and offer understanding and support to sufferers. If you would like to know more about the condition, please watch the following podcast (which also features Beth).

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Many thanks for your support,

Alex