On the 22nd April this year, I will be running the London Marathon to raise money for Sparks.

Sparks do amazing work in conjunction with Great Ormond Street Hospital in funding pioneering research into foetal and childhood illnesses. The grants they have given include studies into vitamins that prevent serious birth defects, childhood epilepsy and pain medication for children with cancer. Their work makes an incalculable difference to the lives of those children, their parents and their family and friends.

Having put a considerable amount of effort, earlier in life, to avoid long-distance running, toward the end of my 39th year and being lucky enough to have two healthy children, I'm now putting myself through the challenge of running 26.2 miles around London. Any contribution you make will help make a huge difference to families when they need it the most.