I will be running the Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 23rd April 2017 for the British Skin Foundation (BSF).

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I ask for just a couple more minutes to explain what I will be doing come April, why this is so important to me, and how you may to help.

Completing this world-famous, 26.2 mile route has been an ambition of mine for many years; being able to do this for a charity, as important to me as the BSF, is a dream come true.

My reason for supporting the BSF in particular is because they fund vital research into skin diseases like the one I was diagnosed with in my final year of University. Whilst I now have only a couple scars to show of my encounter with Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP), many people are not so fortunate as myself and will suffer with conditions such as this for many years or their lifetime. No doubt, my recovery was quickened by research conducted into HSP and I would now like to give something back. Raising money to fund skin research will help me achieve my goal and improve the lives of others.

BSF is the UK's only charity dedicated to funding important research into skin diseases and cancer. Approximately 8 million people in the UK live with a skin disease and yearly, it claims ~4000 lives. Since its foundation in 1996, the BSF has funded over £8million of research. While this sounds like a lot, this is only one quarter of the research projects that require support from the BSF, a figure which they are eager to increase. My goal is to help the BSF on this mission. By supporting me and donating to the BSF, you will become a part of this journey. 

My pledge to the charity is £2700 and so any donation small or large would be greatly appreciated! If you are eligible, please also remember to include Gift Aid as it helps the charity claim tax back from the Government. In return, I promise to keep you up-to-date with all important news regarding the charity, my fundraising progress and upcoming events, my training and finally, the Marathon itself. This will be supplemented by lots of pictures, thanks and blisters (think Simon Pegg in Run Fatboy Run) :)

In addition, whilst the main purpose of this page is to fund-raise, there are many more ways in which you can help out, if you would like to:

• Share my page and cause using social media and the dying art of social skills (for my generation anyway!).
• Check out the BSF website: http://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/
• Look out for my future fundraising events.
• Come and watch on the day!
• Offer me food and support when I inevitably hit some challenges.

Thank you once again for taking the time to read my story. Please help me to make a difference.

If you have any questions or tips, or just fancy a chat about my fundraising, then please don't hesitate to contact me at: tom-joy@hotmail.co.uk