We are in unprecedented and frightening times. Never before has the support, information and care provided by Little Hearts Matter been so urgently needed by the children, teenagers and adults living with only half a working heart. Every day they face the challenges created by their disability. Coronavirus has just added to their isolation, fear, lack of understanding.At a time when their support is needed most, LHM are faced with losing vast amounts of income.Taking part in this challenge will raise funds to help them be there for families.

This year I will be 50 years old and rather than shy away from it I'm going to hit it head on. I'm going to carry out two 50 mile themed challenges that I've never ever tried and that will really push my limits.

Later in the year on the 8th July I will attempt a 50 mile Ultra Marathon (should have thought of this when I was 40 and saved myself 10miles😀) The longest I've ran is 40 miles so this will be brutal.

 But firstly on Friday 12th Feb 3pm and finishing Sunday 14th Feb 11am I will be taking on the Goggins 4x4x48hr challenge. Running 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours. I've never ran through the night before so a two day continuous challenge will be unknown territory. I will of course have to do 2 extra miles to make the 50!

David Goggins is an ex Navy Seal, Ultra runner and an all out bad ass. One of his philosophies is what he calls the cookie jar. Use times in your life that are really hard and you mentally put them in your cookie jar. You can then use this in your head when times are tough when carrying out challenges like this. They then add to your cookie jar.

Well on that point February 5th would have been our son Jacks 23rd birthday who passed away. So you can imagine my cookie jar is already topped up, so as always he runs by my side in my thoughts and gets me through along with many other cookies already filling the jar!

Jack had hypoplastic left heart syndrome and I will be running these events for the Little Hearts Matter charity that helps children and parents with this devestating diagnosis. Their work is amazing and absolutely critical particularly when Covid has now come on the agenda so if you could spare a little money however small I and the charity would be truly grateful.