Hi everyone,

So I'm really going to run the Manchester 10k on 20th May 2012. This will be my first 10k race so I'm nervous as hell! But also excited!

I've joined a group so that I can commit to this and get the training I need as well as a heap of support! Those not taking part can also support me by sponsoring me. My sponsors will be shared between 3 charities, chosen by the group I'm running with. In exchange for your kindess and support I have set up a blog so that you can follow my training journey and laugh at all my highs and lows! www.maria10k.blogspot.com

Now for the serious part!

The first charity is The Christie Hospital. This is the largest Cancer centre in Europe and we are lucky to have it so close to home. They treat over 40,000 people a year, of all ages, from all over the country and 90% of their research has been ranked "internationally excellent." My sponsorship will go towards funding for more research and clinical trials. This is something close to my heart, if only we could find cures for Cancer and save the ones we love? I'm sure everyone knows someone who has been diagnosed with Cancer - some of them may have been lucky to win the battle, whilst others have been lost.

Find out more information about research at The Christie here http://www.christie.nhs.uk/research-division.aspx 

The second charity is CAPUK, a debt councilling charity. Their 190 centres around the country are providing advice and empowering people to free themselves of their debt. They do not pay the debt but work with them to find a way to better manage their finances and get back on track in times of need. In todays current climate I think everyone struggles financially from time to time and although people feel they have no where to turn to CAPUK is there waiting to help lift the burden.

For more information visit http://www.capuk.org/home/index.php

Last, but by no means least, the third charity is Tearfund's Uganda Water Aid Project. There's no doubt about it - we need water to survive. In the UK we take it for granted that we have clean drinking water every day. Yet elsewhere 5000 children die every day due to poor water conditions. Something so simple as clean water can help to save many lives!

You can find more information about this at www.tearfund.org

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.