Last year I lost my best friend John Thomson. Our friendship centred around so many shared interests and activities - we attended the same secondary school, we shared many friends across our different year groups, we loved music and going to gigs together, we followed Crystal Palace across many towns and cities, we shared a strong Christian faith and enjoyed each other's company in many settings in many places long after we left the Croydon area.

John was a keen runner and involved in a club at his church in Stafford and has completed the London Marathon and other races in towns and cities across the country. John passed away in August 2022 after a long period of illness after being diagnosed with cancer.

I am taking on the challenge of the Marathon March on 14 October 2023 in his memory, with the full support of his family. I am not a runner but want to join John in completing a Marathon and there is nowhere better to do that than in South London where we spent our formative years - at school, work, rest, play and, of course, on the Holmesdale Road terrace.

The Marathon will be completed by Team Thomson - John's sister Jo (who was my classmate throughout secondary school and lives in South Norwood), my sons Matthew and Joe (John was their Godparent - their 'Modfather'), and a Marathon March veteran from the church I attend in Fareham, Hampshire Sue. 

We want to raise money for the Palace for Life Foundation because as Palace fans want to help to improve the lives of young people in south London. John was involved in music education in schools throughout his career and working with children and young people was central to his life and work.

Growing up in south London has never been tougher but Palace for Life are in a unique position to drive positive change. They use the power of sport to change the lives of young people within our community, particularly the most hard-to-reach and hard-to-help. 

They work in schools and the community, with extra focus on those not in education, training or employment, those caught up in the criminal justice system and those with disabilities, physical and mental health challenges.  My sister Andrea is a school teacher not far from Selhurst Park and values the Foundation's support across many activities.

South London is a diverse community with hundreds of thousands of talented young people who, given the right opportunities, will contribute so much to the future of our city. Your donations will directly support their work and make a real impact, for real people - and for me this will be a wonderful tribute to John.