On Sunday 13th October I am running my first half marathon to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Running 13miles will be a huge challenge for me, I am certainly not a natural distance runner. At my junior school sports day, aged 8, I was put in for the 800m race but by the 400m mark I was exhausted and ready to quit, though with my Father watching, this was not an option. He joined me on the field, held my hand and ran the second 400m lap with me, my competitors already waiting at the finish line. Throughout senior school, my Father pushed me into sports, "whack their ankles" he used to tell me as I went on in hockey, "play like a demon" was his message before every netball match. Before every shooting competition I would have his support and advice, and he had every confidence in me in spite of the fact I was not always the obvious choice for the first team. The only hockey match he did not watch me play in through my entire schooling career was when he was aged 42, in hospital for a heart operation - he left me with a very fierce note encouraging a winning mentality. Daddy's drive and determination to keep me on the pitch made me determined to be picked for every game - 10 minute appearances turned into half games, that turned into full games, that soon became county level appearances. I would not have the passion for sport and health I do now without his backing and I would not have the life I do now if his experience with heart disease had taken a different turn.

My Family, my health, my family's health are key things in my life: this is why I have chosen to support the BHF by running in this event.

The Joyce's are farmers and incredibly fit and strong, but unfortunately this 'visible' health meant that life threatening hidden factors such as naturally high cholesterol went undetected. It is so important to be aware of the risks, signs and symptoms of heart disease to avoid life changing events, no matter how healthy and strong you may feel.

Better screening and/or better diagnosis by the GP or early referral to a specialist could have avoided my dad's first heart attack; that's why the work done by the BHF is invaluable in helping to reduce heart disease and why the BHF is an obvious good cause to run a half marathon for.

Research conducted by the BHF has helped to halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people still lose their lives.

It's only thanks to support from people like you and me that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. Every pound you can give really does count. Thank you in advance for your donation, it means so much to me, to my family and to all those who need a little help.