In April 2026, I will be taking on the huge challenge of running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for a special cause.

In summer 2024 when he was just 12, we discovered that our youngest son William required surgery to correct a genetic heart defect, and we were referred to the Evelina Children's Hospital in London. It was a huge shock to us all, but the support and care provided by all the team at the Evelina was outstanding.

ECHO is the charity of the Evelina and works hard to support children and their families through what can be a really uncertain time.

In 2026 I'll be turning 50 and to mark this milestone in my life, I want to challenge myself to raise as much money as I can for this great cause.

And it will certainly be a challenge! Before April this year I had never run or played any competitive sport before but, having tried out the Couch to 5k app, I felt motivated to complete the programme.

Although I am now technically allowed to call myself a runner, I've still got a long way to go to get ready for a half marathon - I will be grateful for all the support I can get!

William has thrived since his operation and we are immensely proud of the young man he's growing up to become. The best bit of all is that the London Landmarks Half Marathon is being staged on William's 14th birthday next year (April 12th), and it will be a huge boost to know that he'll be there supporting me on his big day!

Thank you so much in advance for donating whatever you can, it really will make a massive difference.