You never forget a man like Ian Smith. Formidable as a journalistic adversary yet generosity itself in his compassion and loyalty, he was my great friend whose unquenchable courage and unblinking stoicism in the face of a devastating disease is now a lifelong inspiration.

After his death last year from MS, I felt that I must do something to mirror Ian’s tenacious fight against the pain and suffering he endured in his long battle against this ghastly and incurable neurological condition  whilst helping the cause for which he felt so strongly – helping to alleviate the plight of other MS victims and their families.

And so, after a 9-year absence, I decided to take up running marathons again to raise funds for Smithy’s local Trafford branch of the MS Society, a wonderful self-help group which has to raise all its own monies to be able to support members through a range of therapies, operate a dedicated 24/7 helpline and finance research projects and even a small grants scheme for those sufferers needing extra cash help from time to time

First up is the New York Marathon on November 7 – which means that for the past six months, despite a very dodgy left knee, I’ve been putting in up to 40 miles a week of hard, lonely training runs and fitness work. It doesn’t begin to compare to that of Ian, but there’s been a fair share of pain and suffering along the way and many times I’ve felt like packing it in.

However, every time – and I mean every time – I pull on my running shoes I think of Ian and he was never a quitter. So that’s enough for me -- I’ll not stop now until I cross that finish line and pay my dues to a magnificent man and a true inspiration to us all.

Please do your bit by helping me raise as much money as possible to beat the scourge of MS and alleviate the hardships of its sufferers – I am truly grateful to you for whatever you can contribute.

Many thanks,

 Merv 

 

So please dig deep and donate now.