Though a distant memory, I first started running back at school and discovered I was reasonably good at it. This was not due to any talent. I was just stubbornly determined. I ran four and a half half marathons – I will come to the half later – and always had 'The London' in my sights. I secured a place, but then with just a week to go, I started a new life abroad. The 'London' came and went – without me, and in time I hung up my running shoes.

Fast-forward many years, I am grateful to homeless support charity Housing Justice for the opportunity to run on their behalf in the London Marathon 2021. Having worked with Housing Justice since 2019 and seen first-hand the transformational role they play as a key enabler for grass routes homeless support agencies, I am honoured to have been afforded this opportunity to give something back.

The fantastic team at Housing Justice in London have decades' of collective experience running winter night shelters and providing frontline support those those experiencing homelessness. They have been a fountain of knowledge, not least in navigating the immense challenges in keeping shelter guests, staff and volunteers safe during the pandemic. And they have been invaluable as a facilitator of funding and access to vital resources.

Housing Justice has been with me each step of the way in helping me realise key milestones. These include placing each homeless person at the Caris Islington Winter Night Shelter into emergency accommodation as the country went into the first lockdown and mid-Covid, pioneering a new static Winter Night Shelter for C4WS Homeless Project in Camden. Not only does Housing Justice work tirelessly behind the scenes to address homelessness, they campaign nationally to bring homelessness to an end and are always available to help in any way they can. Like me, they are all in.

Truth be known, I have not run for nearly 30 years. The mind is still willing, but the rest is having to catch up. However, my single biggest challenge is being Type I diabetic. Every time I engage in physical activity there is the constant risk of me running out of energy. My first half marathon ended this way. Undaunted, I went on to successfully complete four half marathons.

I practice what I preach. Heading up the largest Salvation Army hostel for the homeless in London, I drive support for the homeless by day and train for the marathon by evening and weekend. There are never enough hours in the day, but yet I push on. Despite these challenges, I have broken through the half marathon barrier, having reached 16 miles and now have 20 in my sights and upwards.

I gave a commitment not just to run the London Marathon 2021, but also to raise £2000 for Housing Justice. By sponsoring me, you can be confident that your donations and sponsorship will enable Housing Justice to support some of the most vulnerable people in society. Your support will fund and bring forward life-changing interventions that empower those experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives, to regain trust in humanity and to dare to hope for a better future.

Please help those with nothing – together we will make a difference.