Last October I completed my first ever marathon and was surprised just how many people asked me where to donate to, I didn't do it for charity and it seemed like a missed opportunity.

I wanted to challenge myself again this year with something even more difficult and also felt that it would be a great opportunity to support a charity at the same time.

I've been very lucky in my life that neither myself or anyone in my immediate family has suffered with any serious illness, however when deciding which charity to support, the My WiSH Charity became a very quick and easy decision to make, for lots of different reasons:

West Suffolk hospital is my local hospital and I received care there on several occasions as a child because of a small hole in my heart which thankfully closed in adulthood .

My Wife Rhian has worked at the hospital for the last 2 years on the endoscopy unit as well as more recently as a nurse apprentice.

My WiSH are currently trying to raise funds for their butterfly garden project which will provide a tranquil space for terminally ill patients and their families, My wife has unfortunately had both her grandparents and her uncle suffer at the hands of cancer and has also worked on the Macmillan ward herself so has witnessed the devastating effects being terminally ill can have on whole families.

My Mother-in-law is a palliative care nurse working with the terminally ill and their families

My WiSH is also one of my employer's ( Sealey ltd ) chosen charities to support and they regularly enter in the soap box challenge raising funds for My WiSH.

So as you can see there were many reasons to choose this fabulous charity, 

Running 2020 miles will be extremely difficult and challenging, on average I need to complete around 5.5 miles every single day of the year, however I know that when the legs are tired and the heart is weary I'll be thinking of the difference that everyone's donations will make to people who so desperately need comfort in their darkest hours, I won't give up and I will run on, that is my promise, I will do it for the people who would give anything to be in my position, to only have the worry of making sure one foot goes in front of the other.

2020 miles for some would be a luxury.

More on the Butterfly Appeal from My WiSH Charity:

Why do we need a Butterfly Garden?

• Currently, there is no dedicated space for end of life patients at West Suffolk Hospital. 
• Today approximately 25 patients will need the help of the hospital's end of life services.
• It will transform the experience of terminally ill patients and their families.
• Each year the palliative care team cares for more than 1000 palliative care admissions.

 Our vision

Our vision is to create a garden with a glass-fronted building which will accommodate a patient in their bed. The area will allow patients and their loved ones to spend quality time together, away from the hustle and bustle of the wards, as they prepare to say goodbye. It will provide an area for quiet contemplation, peaceful reflection and privacy for all.