Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page raising money for the MND Association.  By sponsoring me your money will help people affected by Motor Neurone Disease. The MND Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland dedicated to improve care and support for people affected by MND.  MND is a condition which progressively damages the nervous system.  Commonly, activities like walking, gripping, speaking, swallowing and breathing are affected.  It affects both men and women of all ages.  There is no known cure for MND.

Let me explain why I'm raising money for MND Association and why running a half marathon at Silverstone is a good challenge.

My father, Derek, died from MND in 2009.  He's the chap with the motorbike smiling out at you in the above picture.  He loved his motorbikes and we used to go to a motorcycle race almost every weekend during the sumer months. 

He was one of those people who could do anything.   A plumber by trade but nothing was beyond him.  "Dad, how do I...?" was a common call and he always knew the answer.  Rebuilding an engine, carpentry, model making, fixing broken things, dad always knew how to do it.   It seemed like he knew everyone in the world and was always available to help anyone out.  

As MND took hold he battled on regardless and with more strength, dignity and courage than you'd have thought possible.  He loved being outside and was never one to sit still.   During his last days he wanted to get out of the hospital bed he was confined to so we "borrowed" a wheelchair and some oxygen and took him for a run around the hospital corridors.   He kept smiling to the end.

So why should running a half marathon be a challenge?  A few years ago I was diagnosed with intermittent claudication.   This condition is caused by blocked arteries, particularly in the legs. 

This resulted in my muscles not receiving the required oxygen and meant I couldn't walk any distance.   Blood flow at my ankles was around 5% of what it should be.  That's not a typo, that's 95% less than most people have.   I've had a few operations and finally in 2015 I had a couple of stents fitted.   Blood flow is now back up in the 60% range so my legs are functioning on two thirds of what the average healthy person uses.

The surgeon said to get as much exercise as possible  so I started with a "couch to 5km" course in February of 2016 and I have been gradually pushing forward ever since.  The half marathon will be a challenge but it is one that I think that I am up to.  It is 3 laps of Silverstone race track.  I don't think that I will be lapping quite as fast as dad's favourite MotoGP riders but I will be sure to get all of my laps in.

  Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. With JustGiving your details are safe - they'll never sell them or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the MND Association.  Just click on the donate button and off you go.