I have a place to run the London marathon this year. It’s something I have said I always wanted to do, having started my running journey three years ago, but didn’t think it would actually happen.

I am running the London marathon for the British Red Cross, it means a lot to me to have the opportunity to run for this charity. The British Red Cross helps and supports so many people when they are at their most vulnerable. The kindness of their team members is life changing and lifesaving at times of disaster. I ran the Surrey half marathon last year for British Red Cross so am delighted to be running again for them for London.

Running for me has been my constant in the past few years. It has been my focus to better myself. It’s helped me find freedom in my thoughts and focus at a time that was hard. You never know what life is going to throw at you and running definitely helped me feel myself again. I could set goals and achieve them whilst juggling work and raising my daughter on my own. I could give myself 30 minutes to an hour of just me time.

Over the past two years I have been documenting my running journey and keeping in touch with many runners like myself. I hope my journey of training and running the London marathon can inspire others to do the same. It would mean so much to me for people to see my journey but understand that this is not only my goal but it is to help those that need it most. The power of kindness is a wonderful thing .Training for the marathon will test all I have learnt about myself and my running capabilities. I’m looking forward to my training journey and the big day itself.

I hope you will all support me in raising funds for this fantastic charity that support so many families in their time of need.