Until 5 years ago, being a carer had very little personal meaning to, and for, me. But since my mum was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease (an inherited progressive condition that damages certain nerve cells in the brain that affects movement, perception, awareness, thinking, judgement and behaviour), my family knows what it means to provide full-time care for somebody with chronic complex medical needs.

Although we are a small family unit (my Dad, myself and my husband Sandy), we are fortunate to have each other as we provide that very necessary full-time care for my Mum. I can vouch that caring for a loved one is physically demanding and emotionally exhausting. I am fortunate that I have family to lean on, but thousands of others don’t in their times of need.

There are an estimated 6.5million carers in the UK. This means that 1 in 8 people are now classed as carers. What astonishes me is that there are 6000 new carers every day in the UK; that’s half of KPMG’s UK workforce!

Carers are constantly juggling their lives as they absorb the impact that full-time caring has on their personal lives. Careers, earnings, pensions, family, friends, relationships are all irrevocably changed by the demands of full time caring. So much so, that Carers UK say that 61% of carers have faced depression because of the demands of their caring role!

Since entering this world of caring, I have discovered that my family and I are part of a massive, what I call, “Unsung Army”. Everybody I know and have spoken to, at work and elsewhere, is either caring for somebody, or knows of somebody who is. Where would society be without the selfless sacrifice of these millions of unsung carers?

So I have decided to run the London marathon to raise funds and much needed awareness for Carers UK. Carers UK’s philosophy is that “nobody should have to care alone” which I wholeheartedly embrace and appreciate more now than ever before!

While I am not training for the marathon, I am also a volunteer trustee of Crossover (www.crossoverbrighton.org); a small new charity in Brighton providing food, practical and spiritual support for the homeless and needy in Brighton area. I am also a volunteer board director for the YMCA Downslink (www.ymcadownslinkgroup.org) which works with young people and families across Sussex and Surrey.

I am aiming to raise £100 a mile for Carers UK. I will match that and spilt my match 3 ways.

So for every pound that I raise for Carers UK, I will personally match your donation and split my match equally between Crossover, YMCA Downslink and the Huntington Disease Association (www.hda.org.uk).

I know that there are so many sponsorships doing the rounds these days, so if you can’t give financially, then perhaps you could put those people you know who are carers themselves in touch with Carers UK. Better yet, you could forward a link with the necessary contact details for Carers UK. Nobody should have to care alone.

If you see me pounding the streets training, give me a wave or a shout of encouragement because your support and encouragement keeps me going!

Thank you. Sincerely.

Ingrid