In 2015 I ran the Brighton Marathon in my sister's memory. I chose not to fundraise as it was a very personal goal that I wanted to achieve. I signed up the evening before she died and the penultimate words she ever spoke to me were "you're crazy" when I told her! Running helped me enormously through our first year without Helena. The long training runs provided the opportunity for some much-needed head space and quiet, giving me a chance to reflect and remember. I would often return from them in tears, but calmer and happier. During the marathon itself I felt her with me every step of the way. The first time I attempted a run (one minute huffing laps of our back garden) she remarked that knowing me I'd probably go on to run a marathon! I didn't manage a spectacular time, but I made it across the finish line on two feet.

Two years on, I am attempting to run it again. Hopefully a little bit faster! This time I am choosing to fundraise for Harrison's Fund, a charity Helena cared about greatly and was very active in fundraising for. Everyone who knows me knows how important this charity is to me and why. The Brighton Marathon on April 9th will have added poignancy as Harrison will also be participating. His Dad will be pushing him around the course in his racing wheelchair. Recent medical advances make it a real possibility that Harrison and others afflicted by Duchenne might yet survive to live healthy adult lives. This is in no small part due to the efforts of charities like Harrison's Fund funding research and lobbying pharmaceutical companies and governments to push through drug trials and get promising treatments to the boys who need them. Anything you can spare in support of my Marathon effort in aid of Harrison's Fund will be hugely appreciated.

https://harrisonsfund.com