In 2013 I took part in the marathon as part of a relay team as the first runner, but carried on to the finish. I was never classed as a 'finisher' as I was wearing a relay bib.

Later that year, my dear friend Mike 'Yorkie' Veck lost his life to suicide. More recently his nephew Reece tragically followed.

So I will be setting out to be an official finisher of the marathon to honour the memory of both Yorkie and Reece and at the same time raise vital funds towards suicide prevention in Northern Ireland, one of the biggest killers of men in our wee country.

Please donate what you can to help provide much needed services for those in times of crisis and I will do all I can to get across that line.

Thank you