Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

If you would've told me 10 years ago I'd be running a Marathon this year, I would've thought you were crazy! I was a long time smoker, liked to party and said I'd only run if a serial killer was chasing me. If that would've happened back then, they probably would've caught me very easily.

Then, in 2011, I went home to see my family  for my yearly trip to the US and something terrible happened: my mother pinched my cheeks and said "ooh, someone's put on a bit of weight." I knew then something needed to change.

I gave up smoking after 15 years and I started running to get in shape. It wasn't great, but in time, I got better. Then, with some trepidation, I signed up for my first 10k - the 2016 Teach First 10k. It was so exciting and I felt such a sense of accomplishment doing it! I knew then that I was hooked.

I went on to run the NYC Ted Corbett 15k (2016), Hackney Half Marathon (2017, 2018, 2019, and will be doing it again in 2021), the Royal Parks Half Marathon (2018) and the London Pride 10k (2017, 2018, 2019, and hope to do it again in 2021). I had hoped to run the London Marathon by the time I'm 40, so was thrilled to be selected by Epilepsy Action for one of their spots in the 2021 London Marathon. I'll be 39 this year, so just in time (phew!).

Epilepsy Action is an important charity to me. My partner's sister-in-law, Lisa Kemsley, had epilepsy and was a volunteer for Epilepsy Action. She cared very much about the charity and we bonded over it, as my aunt, Mary Kesavan, who also had epilepsy, passed away from an injury incurred during a seizure. Unfortunately, Lisa passed away in October 2019, which was devastating for her partner (Jonathan Kemsley) and family. In memory of both Lisa and Mary, I started donating to Epilepsy Action and I'm so proud that I can raise further funds for, and run the 2021 London Marathon on behalf of, this charity.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and please know that anything you can give, whether it's a little or a lot, will go to an excellent charity committed to a better life for everyone affected by epilepsy.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.