I'm not a natural long-distance runner, but I do love a challenge. After completing a few half-marathons I thought it was time to run my first (and probably last!) marathon and what better way to get motivated than to run it for the Bowel Cancer UK charity.

This disease has affected my close family, close friends and countless others around the world. In the UK alone, there are around 42,000 cases of bowel cancer diagnosed per year, causing 16,300 deaths - that's 45 every day.

I've been training for months, building up to being able to run the 26.2 miles on the 3rd of October. I've been racking up hundreds of miles through rain, shine and injury, with the focus on finishing the race and being able to raise funds for bowel cancer UK really keeping me going! I feel privileged to be accepted in getting a place to run for this brilliant charity and I'm determined not to let them down.

Bowel Cancer UK is our leading bowel cancer charity. They fund targeted research, provide expert information and support to patients and their families, educate the public and professionals about the disease and campaign for early diagnosis and access to best treatment and care. They exist to stop people dying of bowel cancer.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story - anything you can spare towards my total is hugely appreciated and will help keep me going through the training and the race itself.