This will be my third attempt at the Great North Run and after representing the Stroke Association in the two previous occasions, I have decided to switch charities and raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation this year.

And what a fantastic cause it is! For those of you who don't know, the charity grants wishes to children suffering from life threatening illnesses, based on their specific interests, for them and their family to enjoy.

There are some absolutely incredible stories and the charity is capable of providing such a range of wishes. 13 year old Daniel Nabhani, for example, was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer and, due to his passion for F1, had the opportunity to enjoy a track day experience at Silverstone. Nine year old Eve Naylor was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and had the opportunity to become the first child to swim in London 2012's Olympic swimming pool, meeting a variety of athletes along the way.

More inspiring stories can be found at http://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/wishes/stories

On a final note, it is important to stress how much a little can go a long way. People sometimes feel reluctant to give if they can't contribute a significant amount but you wouldn't believe how much it all adds up. So please give as much or as little as possible. Thank you in advance for your donations!

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 for the charity.