2024 is a milestone for me as I reach 40 years old in January and I am not one for sitting down and let this pass by so I am taking on The Wall. An ultra marathon along a 70mile stretch of Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, UK.

I am not an ultra runner, I am barely a runner these days, but I don't have to run this and I don't intend to. I have 26 hours to complete these 70 miles. That means no sleep until it's done but plenty of pit stops on the way. This will be harder than anything I have done before - it's longer, hillier and with a cut off time that will no doubt be always in the shadows, but I am confident I can do this.

I am raising money for a charity very close to my heart, MRKH Connect, a charity founded in 2014 supporting those with MRKH Syndrome, a condition which affects 1 in 5000 female births which leads to the absence or underdevelopment of the uterus, cervix and vagina. MRKH Connect support those with MRKH and their families through peer support, events, resources and outreach whilst also raising public awareness and undertaking research in support of this little known condition.

Over 20 years ago now I was diagnosed with MRKH Syndrome. It's not been an easy journey, my mental health has suffered significantly at times, my perspective on the future changed but through support (peer and professional) and from family and friends I have found a way to be empowered by, and not defined by my condition. I have the privilege to support this volunteer run charity as it's Director and I am raising money to continue to support this charity and the work they do to support MRKHers at all stage of their journey.

Any donation you can make will be so appreciated, however large or small.

Thank you for reading my story.

Charlie x

ps. I will continue to be blogging my experiences and training journey over on https://mrkhmakingmymark.wordpress.com/