On Sunday 8th October I shall be joining the Oxford Half and running my first ever Half Marathon!

I have decided to run it for a charity of my own choice – so I will be fundraising for St Michael’s CE Primary School PTA .

Parents and teachers work hard at St Michael’s to provide exciting opportunities for the children and valuable resources for the classrooms and wider school. PTA funds have provided things like interactive whiteboards, stage blocks, laptops, playground games and equipment, pantomime visits and whole school trips. All these things enrich the experience of our children in school.

The money that I raise from running the Half Marathon will go towards a new sound system for the school hall. This is a valuable resource that is indispensable for singing and music lessons, school plays, assemblies, dance and much more. A sound system for the school is also something very close to our hearts in my family. My sons are both very technically minded and operating the sound during school plays and assemblies has been a job that has contributed hugely to their own personal development. I would hope that a new sound system would provide not only the reliable musical accompaniment that the school needs but also the opportunity for other such children to help them develop their own technical talents and interests.

I never thought I could run 5km, never mind a half marathon (21.3km) so I am very excited about taking part in the Oxford Half! Thanks to Park Run, I conquered 5km a few years ago and then ran my first 10km at the 2014 Oxford Town and Gown – completing that was a feeling of pure elation! This year it is time for a new challenge, so I have been training hard since Spring and gradually seen my distances increase and can now – unbelievably – see a half marathon as something that really is achievable. I am excited, a little bit scared but very determined!

I really hope you will support me – I would love to turn my efforts into something tangible for the school. However much you can contribute will be very gratefully received. Every penny counts. And if you are out and about in Oxford on 8th October and see me running past – please give me a high five, a smile or a wave. It helps enormously to keep tired legs moving!