I am running the London Landmarks Half Marathon on 3rd April 2022 to raise money for Spinal Research.  Someone sustains a spinal cord injury every 4 hours in the UK.  My aunt was one of those people;  left paralysed after a collision with a drunk driver when she was 21.  But although living with an SCI often means a lifetime of health and care costs, as well as the threat of secondary healthcare complications, my aunt lived her life to the full, without fear or holding back, and we never saw bitterness or resentment for the changes her injury meant for her and for my grandparents.  Their strength and determination was inspiring.

Although the medical staff who saved her life on that fateful night doubted that she would survive the accident, my aunt spent the next 50 years defying the odds, meeting her goals and challenging and inspiring her niece and nephews.  As it happens, my first ever sponsored walk was for Spinal Research, over 30 years ago.  I want to honour my aunt and my grandparents by running for the same charity at this year's London Landmarks Half Marathon (although it's fair to say this one will be a bit harder!).

Spinal Research is the UK's leading medical charity focussed on the repair and restoration of the spinal cord and exists to beat paralysis. They do not receive governmental funding - all of their projects are funded by donations.   

People support charities like Spinal Research in lots of different ways, with time, with money and by participating in events like this.  If you have already sponsored someone who is running for a charity, then thank you - your support makes programs like this possible and thereby indirectly benefits all charities, including mine.  For those of you who would like to sponsor me on this run, I have set a target of £500 in notional representation of the 50 years that my aunt raised money for and awareness of those with a spinal cord injury, and I would be very grateful for your support.

With your help, we can #BeatParalysis