Being a passionate lover of tennis since 2004, I have always (as all sports fan) had my favoured players. Elena Baltacha, undoubtedly, was my favourite.

As a young person growing up as a teenager and into a young adult, Elena never failed to inspire me with her never-let-die attitude. Elena was an incredibly gifted tennis player but had to deal with various debilitating setbacks including being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (chronic liver disease) at the age of 19. Elena also had chronic back and ankle injuries. However, you would never hear Elena complain about this, and she would never, ever use it as an excuse.

Whilst still competing at a professional level Elena opened up her own academy, 'The Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis' which is set up on the basis of allowing disadvantaged children the opportunity to play tennis. All funds raised from my run will go to this charity.  I believe the whole concept of the charity is fantastic, not just about getting children involved in tennis that might not have had the opportunity, but the message it sends out: that everyone deserves an opportunity no matter what.

After retiring at the end of 2013, Elena married her longtime coach Nino Severino but was diagnosed with liver cancer in January 2014. Unfortunately, Elena passed away on the 4th May 2014. I found it shocking that someone so strong, and so fit, could be taken so quickly.

Needless to say, the reaction after Elena's passing was unbelievable and I believe Andy Murray summed up why the response was so strong, 'The best thing that you can do is achieve your potential and I believe that she did that. So that's big credit to her.'

For me, on a personal level, that is what has always inspired me and made me admire Bally so much. I don't think you can ask anything more from somebody but to try their hardest and to be honest. We all make mistakes, it's the journey of life, and we all do things that we regret, but it's how we handle those situations that characterises us and sometimes it's never too late to rectify a situation. 

To be honest with someone is one of the hardest things to do, whether it be that you're unhappy with them, whether you are admitting your own disappointing actions (we all make mistakes!) or breaking uncomfortable news that might be better to push aside. Bally was refreshingly honest on a consistent basis with so much compassion and class. If Bally lost a match that she thought she could have won, she did not make an excuse but admitted that she could have done certain things better, that she would work harder, and that simply, she had not been good enough on that occasion. To be able to admit that, I feel, is such a tremendous reflection on the strength of Bally. It's always something I have tried to implement in my own life, and when I have done (not all the time) I have felt so much better for it and gained better respect.

So please donate, whether it is £1, whatever you can spare,  as your money will be going to a charity with tremendous morals, implemented by a person who genuinely had them. Lets keep Bally's vision alive!

If you need any further inspiration to donate to this charity, please watch this interview with Elena's husband Nino Severino here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/27831907 or watch the EBAT video: http://player.vimeo.com/video/87090364 and you can also purchase Rally4Bally wristbands. If you like to do so, please message me and I can guide you as to where to get them.

Also, by continuing to keep Bally's charity alive and maintain a high profile, we continue to shine the light on the awful effects of cancer, which seems to be affecting so many loved ones.

Finally, I won't be doing the half marathon aiming for a particular time, I intend on firstly, finishing it ;_) and secondly enjoying the occasion as much as possible!

Adam :-)