I am proud to have been asked to take a place in the Great North Run to raise some funds for The Junction, this will be my first time to ever run the GNR, actually will also be my longest ever road run.

The Junction Foundation is a Teesside based charity providing support and services to children, young people and families to create positive change in their lives.

As someone who knows what it is like to find yourself in a place of darkness, to face everyday with the feeling that there is no hope, no way out, and each day that arrives sinking a little bit further into helplessness. 

Organisations such as The Junction offer routes away from those dark places, offering a helping hand to give people opportunities that bring hope back into their lives.

I feel privileged to be pounding the tarmac with almost 60,000 others and honoured to be highlighting such a great charity.

Those of you I know that are also taking part, wishing you the best day and best of luck xxxx