I have learnt very quickly that I need to be extremely careful with what I say in front of my better half as whilst watching the marathon in 2024 and admiring how well all those runners were doing, especially those who were running in costume. My better half, Kellie, asked me if I was serious when I had said some years earlier, “I would like to do the London Marathon as part of my bucket list”. Now, as a lot of men do in this situation you get a little overconfident and say, “Yes of course I would”, back came the swift reply of “that’s good as I’ve already entered you into the ballot x 2 by donating as well”.

Well, I was pretty certain that I would not get in on the 1st time of applying so I relaxed and thought no more about it.

Well, roll forward 6 months….. How wrong was I. Here I am, training hard, becoming at one with my trainers and experiencing some new aches and pains.

I am looking to raise money for a charity, Helpful Hounds Assistance Dogs, that are involved with two areas of my life that I am passionate about.

My dogs Rosie and Ruby are my world, and they can give unconditional love and support. Also, I know the support that dogs can give you if you have a physical disability and or have a neurodiverse condition. I have several family members who have needed such support, and I have seen how my dogs have helped them through certain challenges and how their confidence has grown.

Helping in a small way to increase the opportunity for more young people to benefit from Helpful Hounds and put more smiles of everyone’s faces will make those long early morning and sometimes cold and wet training runs worth while .

So, please support my inadvertent venture in any way you can. You will be helping to change the lives of young people.