I am a runner, not a fast one but I love it. I have been plagued with ‘runners knee’ for some time and in 2022 it worsened: I couldn’t run; I put on weight; and my way of coping with the everyday stresses and strains of life was taken away from me. I needed something to aim for and had applied for the London ballot and didn’t get a place.

I had thought about approaching Martin House for a charity place and missed the deadline, accidentally on purpose, I then received an email giving extra time and thought why not and to my surprise I got a place and I actually cried when Rowan from Martin House called to say I’d got place!

Martin House is a local children’s hospice based in Boston Spa and I have a friend who works there and have heard only good things about them – they also have a charity shop in Knaresborough that I’m a regular visitor to for my @frocksonfriday posts on IG.