In late 2021 I decided to sign-up for my first ever marathon - the 2022 Manchester Marathon, as part of the P&A Group's efforts to raise £2,400 for the British Heart Foundation. This is my small contribution towards that.

I will be honest with you, I am not a good runner. Despite training since October 2021, it's clear that I don't have any "natural" ability to run long distances. Already, I've been through several injuries such as shin splints, calf cramps, pulled hip flexors, and a long term knee problem that keeps creeping up on me. Along with that, some of my training has been in extremely cold, windy and wet conditions. There have been many times when I've pushed on, when I should have stopped.

But every time, I've put my trainers back on and got out back out. No matter how tough the training is, it pales into insignificance when you realise what those with heart and circulatory disease have to go through everyday and the devastation it causes them and their families.

That's where my motivation comes from.

Every time I run, I remember how lucky I am to be able to do this. Running is a privilege because for so many people it isn't even an option; they would give anything to have the choice to run and do what I/we do.

This marathon isn't for me, this is for the heroes at the British Heart Foundation who do incredible work to fund lifesaving scientific breakthroughs which improve and save the lives of millions.

I'd be so grateful if you could support me with this.

The BHF has helped halve the number of people dying from heart and circulatory disease in the UK but sadly every day hundreds of people lose their lives. It's only thanks to support from people like us that the BHF can create new treatments and discover new cures. £24 could pay for two hours of research by an early career scientist, but every pound helps so please give what you can to help me hit my target for the British Heart Foundation.

Thank you, diolch yn fawr.