Hi, I'm Gordon and on the 21st of April, I'm taking on a not so mini challenge, along with my guide Fergus, as we tackle the TCS London Marathon.

Now there’s a bit of a story behind this challenge that I want to share with you. I’m, not to put too fine a point on it, as blind as a bat so require some assistance when it comes to running. The original plan had been to run with Mavisbank’s own Ms Aiken who’s been running since she was knee high to a grasshopper and also happens to be my partner. However whilst testing the Olympic marathon course last year Ms Aiken managed to injure herself thus leaving muggins here somewhat in the lurch! But never one to be daunted by such setbacks I came up with a cunning plan and roped in my very good friend Fergus to help out. There is only two drawbacks with this plan: Fergus is a sub-three hour marathon runner — something I am very much not and he’s also running the Manchester marathon the week before London.

So what could go wrong?

To keep us both in line Ms Aiken is helping with our training giving out loads of good advice, setting our weekly targets, upping my vegetable intake and making sure I don’t hold Fergus back too much! She’s going to be assisting us on the day, going round the course and supplying the running essentials such as IrnBru and Magnums. (We are West of Scotland boys so need our essentials down there!)

Seriously folks I am very excited to be running London and when the company I work for (Diligenta) offered me a place, it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down as I've always wanted to run that race ever since it was first shown on TV. I had promised Shona (sorry Ms Aiken) that if I ever got a place at London that I would run it in aid of Mavisbank School in Airdrie. Mavisbank is a school for young people with severe challenges in all aspects of their lives making each day unique in every aspect of life. She works with an amazing team of dedicated people who throw their hearts and souls into making each day special for all of their young people.

Marathon running is normally an individual pursuit where it's just you against the course and your own personal battle. However, due to my visual impairment, I run as a team with all the benefits (and perhaps drawbacks!) that brings. Fergus will be keeping me informed with navigating runners and the underfoot terrain as I tell him our running stats and what we should be doing for our next mile.

In order to spur us forward with this challenge, we're hoping you could consider making a wee donation in support of Mavisbank School and make a huge difference to the young people there. We realise things are very tight at the moment so any donation, no matter how small is more than appreciated and will make a massive difference to the experiences for the pupils.

We recognise that team work is crucial to our running. And team work is what Mavisbank is all about; from parents and carers to teachers, cook, support assistants, cleaner, the janitor and the local community. They all go to make this school such an amazing place.

As individuals we take on the challenges that life throws our way, but as teams we can move mountains. Thank you for your kind support.