I am running the London Marathon 2019 (my first ever
marathon) for Leonard Cheshire Disability.  I’m starting from scratch, not having run since I last completed a half marathon back in 1987, a few years older and a couple of stone heavier :-)

I’ve started following my training plan, sacrificing weekends due to training, giving up beer (shock horror!) to help with the weight loss all in preparation for what will be a very hard challenge!  Please support me in raising money for this charity, which was started by Leonard Cheshire, a former RAF pilot who on 2^nd May 1948 took a dying man into his home and nursed him through hill illness.  In 1949 his home was resident to 24 residents with complex needs, illnesses and impairments.  By 1955 there were 5 homes in the UK and by 1970 there were over 50 services in the UK, 5 in India and 21 in other countries around the World. 

My route to Leonard Cheshire is an unusual one. In 2016 I visited a WW2 site in Northern France called Mimoyecques, an underground fortress designed to house V3 cannons aimed at London. Reading into the history of the place I found that it was attacked in July 1944 by a squadron of Lancasters carrying Tall Boy bombs . The target was marked by their commanding officer in his pathfinder aircraft. His name was Leonard Cheshire. Intrigued, I read more into Leonard Cheshire and discovered his extraordinary life, both during the war and after, most notably his selfless attitude to helping others along with his wife Sue Ryder. 

Inspired by Leonard Cheshire, his life story and legacy, I want to help raise money for the remarkable charity he set up which continues to care for people all around the world. Thank you for supporting me on this journey and donating to Leonard Cheshire.