This year I turned 60 (Eek!) and in a few months I am going to be facing one of the biggest challenges of my life and that is to run the London Marathon.

The most important reason for doing this is to raise money for my chosen charity SCOPE and secondly to inspire others like me 'of a certain age', to understand anything can be possible if you put your mind to it.

So how did I find myself here?

I started working in schools 28 years ago supporting children with special needs.  Some physical, some emotional and some behavioural.  It was a real eyeopener to find out how many daily challenges these kids had to face.

What I discovered is... KIDS ARE GREAT!!

Children as young as 4 or 5 are so willing to help those less able and more importantly, unconditionally accepting them as just one of their group of friends.  To these wonderful youngsters these special children are no different from themselves than those with different colour hair or eyes.

However I have also found some older children and adults are less accepting.  I don't know why this is but it needs to change and SCOPE have made it their mission to do this.

Amongst the many ways SCOPE do this, is by working with secondary schools to help them create inclusive learning environments and start conversations about disability; provide free and confidential information, advise and support for disabled people, their families, carers and professionals; and support disable people to find jobs, work experience and volunteering opportunities that will develop their careers and deliver results for employers.

A bit about me

Well I was 60 this year and just a couple of years earlier, came to the realisation that to continue to do everything I wanted to in later life, I needed to stay fit and healthy.  Although I did a bit of exercise, I was never consistent until I was lucky enough to find something I loved, Dance.  This gave me the foundation I needed to build up my fitness.

Since then I haven't looked back.  I have taken part in 3 Great South 10 mile runs and the West Wight Triathlon.  It hasn't been easy, but my mantra is 'baby steps' in everything.

Currently I am running 3 miles, twice a week and one longer run at the weekend, gradually building up my mileage.  I also cross-train 3 times a week (and when I say cross-train I mean dance)!

Don't think I'm a natural athlete; I love cake and chocolate too much, am slightly asthmatic and have dodgy knees.

SO IF I CAN DO THIS, I CAN DO ANYTHING AND SO CAN YOU!!

We all only have one life, so live it!

Now get yourselves moving...it may seem daunting at first but all you have to do is JUST GET STARTED!  Believe me you will be glad you did.

Ah, just one last tiny thing...

Could you now dig deep and sponsor me on this journey.  Everything counts, large or small. SCOPE and I will be extremely grateful.

Thank you

Love Karan