Twelve months ago, whilst coming to terms with a rock bottom resulting from many years destructive drinking, I embarked upon a journey to change my life. In addition to sobriety, I decided it was time to regain my fitness and health, downloaded the couch to 5km to my iPhone and set off to achieve a 5km.

As the weeks progressed the weight started to drop, blood pressure improved and sobriety wasn't feeling at all bad at all and so I decided to do a rather mad thing and apply to run the London Marathon.

There was never any question in my mind that I would undertake the challenge to raise money for Guide Dogs on behalf of my mum and to give thanks for the 25 years plus that they were part of our lives. Guide dogs offered mum a level of independence she would have never otherwise achieved. I have blogged further about my mum, her blindness and guide dogs at www.soberheroblog.wordpress.com if you are interested in reading more.

Since those early treadmill days of March 2016 and that first 5km, I have run regularly at least 3 times a week and undertaken many other challenges ranging from 5km races to a duathlon, a triathlon, 10km races and a half marathon last October. Still to come in 2017 are two further 10km races and a half before the big one in April, then over to the more serious business of the Olympic distance triathlon!

I have now been sober for almost 12 months; running has become such a huge part of my recovery and I honestly can't imagine life without it.

I would be most appreciative of your donation to this cause. Each guide dog can cost up to £55,000 in it's lifetime and whilst a seemingly huge sum to you and I, the value they add to the lives of visually impaired individuals can't really be judged.