2011 was not a great year for me. It started in just about the worst way possible with the loss of my dad and it never really recovered.

2012 isn't going to be a like that. I'm taking on the daunting challenge of running the marathon to do something positive in memory of dad and to raise money for a fantastic cause dear to his heart.

I have never met a person with as little perception of their own value and worth to others as my dad. I for one feel like the luckiest person on earth to have been able to call him that. He's an inspiration to me and from conversations with numerous friends and relations, he has done an enormous amount to shape the lives of so many others as well.

He was a long standing and proud supporter of Orbis, the charity which helps to fight blindness in developing countries, and now it's up to us to take over from where he left off.

If you can give something to the cause and also spread the word to others then that would be marvellous as I'm not sure which is the more daunting prospect, running the 26.2 miles or raising the sponsorship!

....and dad would be livid if I didn't remind all UK tax payers to make sure they get gift aid on their donation!!!

Thanks in advance and look out for me on 22nd April, I'll be the tired one!!

AM