So I have put my hand up fully unprepared with what lays around the corner and have taken a charitable place to run the London Marathon with 13 weeks notice. Easy?, not when my starting point for training is straight off the sofa and with the last competitive race some 8 years ago, I have a lot to do!

Why would I do this? Not one to shy away from a challenge, I'm taking this on to support Parkinson's UK and help raise awareness of the great work the charity does to support those who's lives are impacted by Parkinson's and raise valuable money to support their team.

A donation of £18 will help run Parkinson's UK helpline for an hour. The helpline provides a kind, friendly ear on the end of a phone to listen, whatever the subject and however many questions, and to give people real, tangible help. Helpline advisers understand what Parkinson's really is, the many ways it affects lives, how difficult it is to cope with and how many unexpected impacts it can have.

This will be a huge personal challenge and one I am willing to take on in support of the great work of those at Parkinson's UK and would appreciate your support in doing so. Donations of any size would be greatly appreciated and will spur me on through training and the big day.

Thanks for your support!