As some of you know I decided to go on a ‘radical’ diet at the beginning of the year. The aim was to stay on the diet for at least a month but after 2 days of shakes - a week seemed unachievable. However, from somewhere I have found the ‘determination’ to continue (Dan would say stubborness).

To help with the diet I decided to take up running. In March I would not have been able to run for a minute without wanting to collapse in a heap but I started using the ‘Couch to 5km’ training plan and was slowly improving when the unthinkable happened....

Two of our closest friends lost there Son in a freak accident whilst he was away travelling in Thailand. I was lucky enough to have been part of Billy’s life throughout his 20 years. We watched him grow into a happy, confident, thoughtful young man who was always thinking of others. Both Freddie and Milly adored him and as a family we are still struggling to accept what has happened.

After hearing the news, I went for a run and just wanted to keep on running. I managed to run for 5km without stopping. In part I wanted to run away but I do feel that Billy was helping me to keep going. In this vain i have decided to run the Chew Valley 10km and raise money in his memory. The money raised will be used by Billy’s Family for causes close to Billy’s heart but the majority will be donated to the ‘upkeep’ of the temple that looked after Billy in the days after he had died.

I am unsure I will be able to run the entire 10km route as it is rather hilly (and i may have to walk these parts) but I know that Billy will be with me every step of the way.