Inspired by several of my ex-colleagues from Newton, I am undertaking my first half marathon on 8th October.  This is a major personal challenge and I have been training hard over the summer to make sure I can make it around the 21km course, double the length of my previous runs! I will be running in support of Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding medical research around the world to develop effective treatments for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. Every year 1,000 people in the UK and Ireland are paralysed following an injury to their spinal cord. The charity relies entirely on the support of the public to raise funds for its research. Because of the efforts of supporters, it has funded innovative medical research that has achieved a number of ground breaking changes in the field. It is also able to offer advice and support to those suffering injuries. Any sponsorship you feel able to give would be most gratefully received.