I've been sitting here wondering what to type to encourage you to donate what you can to support me and my local charity. I've typed - deleted, typed - deleted and so on. Finally, here it is - from the heart x

3 1/2 years ago I lost the sight in my right eye. After numerous tests and MRI scans, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Shocked and petrified, I imagined myself in a wheelchair within a year.

Please DO NOT feel sorry for me,  this isn’t a sob story and please don't donate out of sympathy. Everybody has their challenges in life and this is mine.

It took some time for myself and my nearest and dearest to get our heads around it but we have. Gradually my eyesight recovered to 60% in my right eye. Not surprisingly, it was a huge wake up call to how I live my life. Having a loving and supportive husband and two beautiful healthy daughters has made me want to 'live forever' - well, get fit and lead a healthy lifestyle anyway. Keith has been an inspiration to me losing 7 stone and completing countless triathlons and Half Ironmans. So, as the saying goes: "if you can't beat ‘em join ‘em!"

In November I took the plunge and signed myself up for the May Eton Super Sprint triathlon - 400m swim, 21.2km bike and 5km run.

Diet and training has become intense and sometimes painful! I'm now up to 6 days a week with a mix of boot-camps, swimming, cycling and running. In the process, I’ve managed to lose 5 stone! 2 1/2 stone to go to my target weight.

I'm over halfway up the mountain and in doing so I'm trying to raise much needed funds for my local MS centre. It’s an amazing charity supporting local people suffering from various forms of multiple sclerosis and facing far greater challenges than this on a daily basis. Who am I to moan about my 'little race'?

Now that I've finally set this page up I'm more determined than ever to cross that finish line in 2 weeks time - even if I have to crawl over it!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page. Please be generous!