I am running the London Marathon for Together for Short Lives because I want to support this fantastic charity which makes such a difference to so many children and their families and at the same time fulfil an ambition which a year ago I would of thought was unachievable.

I gave up smoking 18 months ago after 20 years of doing so, I needed to find a new habit one that would be far better for my health. A friend at work had started running and I thought, why not I can give that a go! After a slow start, plagued with various muscular pain I have found my stride and my new habit! I have done a few events this year of 10k and have my first half marathon booked for March 2022, this will now form part of my training for the Marathon.

When a child’s life is expected to be short, there’s no time to waste. Together for Short Lives is the UK charity that is here to make sure the 99,000 seriously ill children and their families can make the most of every moment they have together – whether that’s for years, months or only hours. Many of these children have complex conditions and need specialist care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our ‘to do’ list is growing daily, and we have one bold ambition: To reach every family caring for a seriously ill child who needs help.