Last November, my mum's partner of 17 years, Dave passed away after a battle with kidney cancer.

It was a difficult time for everyone and heightened by the pandemic. We were lucky that North Ayrshire was under level three restrictions at the time and we were able to give him a send off with family and close friends present. 

The Ayrshire Hospice were a massive support to my mum and the wider family during his final weeks and I want to continue to support them by running my first marathon in Manchester in October. 

Although I have been running for a while now, I have never ran an official half-marathon, never mind a full one but I am sure that I'll be able to complete it, knowing any of the pain that I feel will be a fraction of that felt by those cared for by the Hospice or by their families. 

I've set a target of £315 as I hope to complete the run in the ambitious time of 3 hours and 15 minutes - it's going to be difficult but I am up for the challenge. 

If you are able to, I'd be honoured if you could get behind this cause and help them continue to provide the support they gave my mum during one of the hardest times of her life.