A friend of mine, Emma, recently shared a post on Facebook for MDS UK as they were in need of runners for the GNR next month. The smaller charities will have really felt it over the last 18 months, with limited fundraising opportunities, and more often than not if charities can not fill their charity places at these type of events then they do not get them again the following year.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a type of rare blood cancer where you don't have enough healthy blood cells. It's also known as myelodysplasia. There are many different types of MDS. Some types can stay mild for years and others are more serious.

Emma, is a MDS patient herself. She was diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia in 2005 when just 17 years old but in 2011 this progressed into MDS. She had her first stem cell transplant in 2011, and another in 2016. In 2021, whilst training for a half marathon, she received the dreaded news the cancer had returned. She has been pretty inspirational - getting out for runs/walks when she can when most other people would have been moping on the sofa!

So yes, this is for Emma & anyone else affected by MDS. Its been a while since I've done anything stupid for charity, and I'm always up for raising pennies for a good cause....although the fact I can't take dog is going to be a bit of a shock to the system!!