I am running BOTH the Edinburgh 10K and Full Edinburgh Marathon in the same weekend, having previously not been able to run more than about half a mile without getting a major stitch. This came about because a) I'm an idiot, and b) I signed up for the 10K and then decided that wasn't challenging enough.

I am doing this in memory of everyone ever diagnosed with cancer, but am specifically doing it in memory of Alan Cook, a beloved husband, father, and care worker, and the man who ended up being the most influential male figure in my life during my turbulent teenage years.

I was never able to do as much as I should have done for Alan (or his wife, Dot) while he was alive. I was busy making plenty of mistakes, and being far too emotionally immature, to make him as proud as I would have liked. Some people have things figured out quite early. Some, like me, take about 35 years to get things on an even keel. Which is why I am now committed to doing something that will feel like an immense achievement, raise a good chunk of money for Macmillan Cancer Support, and also stand as a suitable act of remembrance for a man who was cut low and eaten away by bowel cancer.

I will be running in memory of Alan, but also as a show of strength for both cancer survivors and those who are left behind when cancer rips apart families. If you have lost someone to cancer (and, sadly, most of us have), if you have watched someone battle through therapy, or if you just want to help me make this endeavour as worthwile as it can be then please donate. If you can't donate then please share far and wide. I would absolutely love to smash my target (actually . . . I would love to double it) and I cannot do that without your help and support.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.Fundraising is hugely important to Macmillan. Without people doing events, running marathons, climbing mountains, and donating in all the other ways that you can, Macmillan wouldn’t exist.Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs.