Let’s try this again, shall we?!!!

So, a quick run down for anyone new here:

I had to postpone my marathon entry in 2020 during the pandemic and my deferred place (which was the furthest away they’d let me have) is suddenly just around the corner!!! The difference this time round though, is that I’ve nearly lost all the weight I’d gained, so training SHOULD be a bit easier!

Since I set up this page 3 years ago, things have become harder and harder for Jen. She is my reason for doing this and it breaks my heart to see her struggle. I know a lot of you already did last time round and times are super tough, but please do donate generously (or even just a tiny bit) if you can.

Here’s what I’d written before…….

Those that know me, will be aware that I'm certainly no runner! I took part in a 10K once and came last out of around 500 participants, plus I'm 5 stone heavier now and haven't run for years, so this will be no easy task, to say the least!!

You may also know that my absolutely wonderful Mum-in-law, Jen, was diagnosed with MS (multiple sclerosis) 31 years ago, having already experienced symptoms for 6 years prior to this.

MS is a chronic, long-lasting, autoimmune illness of the central nervous system, which affects the brain and spinal cord. This means that the system designed to keep your body healthy, mistakenly attacks parts of the body which are vital to everyday function. The symptoms and their intensity can vary widely, depending on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS like Jen, lose the ability to walk independently or at all and there is no known cause or cure.

Jen is one of the most non-complacent, generous, kind and selfless people I have had the privilege to meet, despite having to battle through her own symptoms every single day.

I myself (and Jen's grandchildren), have never known her to be able to run around, sit on the floor and do all the things which most of us might take for granted, but Dan and his brother have, and they have watched this non-discriminative, progressive disease steadily worsen in their Mum since they were just 6 and 8 years old, back when she was still able to do all the normal things that mums and grandparents usually can with ease.

So I'm doing this for all of them and anyone else living with MS, or who cares a lot about someone who is.

MS-UK was established in 1993, and is a national charity dedicated to empowering people with multiple sclerosis (MS) to make the most of today, and live life to the full. MS-UK put people affected by MS at the heart of their work. They provide high quality, professional services to support people living with multiple sclerosis, and they listen to people affected by MS. To find out more about what they do, please visit www.ms-uk.org.