Hi, Welcome to my fundraising page for the Virgin Money London Marathon 2018.

January 2016 I made a New Years resolution, Surprise surprise...... It was to lose weight. I bought a used treadmill good enough to take 21 stone pounding it and embarked on the Couch to 5k. I locked myself in the garage a few times a week and ran until the narrator said I could walk. It felt like forever, It was 2 mins run and 3 mins walking ! I struggled I don't mind admitting. I hated that lady in my headphones telling me to run when I'd only just started walking. After a few weeks I remember running one Saturday and it was just to purely see how far Id get before I had to stop. Feeling confident and strong I covered the display and off I went running on the spot.... For ages. Exhausted I removed the towel to reveal I had run non stop for 760 yards ! I was distraught, What am I doing? I couldn't even complete a mile.

I wasn't ever giving in though. Im far too stubborn.

As the weight dropped off I had a goal to complete an outdoor run by the end of 2016. Xmas Eve Widnes Parkrun it was. I had to do this. I didn't sleep before hand, The 3.2 miles around Victoria Park was my marathon. Fail to complete this and Christmas was ruined I muttered. I did it in just over 30 mins but I did it. I went out and ran in public without stopping.

Anyway as confidence grew and races went by I found myself even watching running on the TV, The London Marathon. Imagine running that. Intrigued by the process of applying and being selected as a 1st time entry to be one of the lucky 17000 applicants out of over 250.000 entries in one of the Worlds greatest marathons. I wouldn't be picked, Surely.... 😲

October 2nd 2017... London Marathon decision day. The magazine arrived, " YOU'RE IN " it said. Surely some mistake, Me in next years London Marathon at the 1st time of asking?

As I got in through ballot I don't have to raise funds. Ive paid my entry, hotel and travel but to run a gruelling 26.2 miles around our capital in April I want to make the most of this opportunity.

My severely disabled 15 year old daughter attends a local SEN school, Chesnut Lodge Specialist School. Their fundraising focus at the moment is to revamp their sensory garden. Chesnut Lodge is a well loved and well respected school and the pupils there are a pleasure to be around. We can make a massive difference to the children of Chesnut Lodge that frequent the gardens and help give it a modern upgrade.

So please, if you’re able, give what you can to a fantastic cause. Every donation and every message of encouragement will be motivation to train through the winter months, and make to the finish line in April!

I hope to post regular updates of training and progression. Let me tell you I am itching get started. Seriously, VLM Training plan Week 1 Day 1 .... Rest. I got this! 👊

Thank you. Ste. 👍