Born with Spina Bifida, at birth, my Grandparents were told that my Dad would never walk, father children or 'live a normal life'. Today, my Dad is not only a father to my brother (29) and I (26), but he has gone on to achieve what he could only have dreamed of as a child in the world of sport, and in life itself. Thanks to the ongoing work that Spinal Research do, my Dad has been able to have the best quality of life possible, including the opportunity to travel the world to compete in disabled sport, and be happily married with two children.

Throughout my 26 years with him, I have not once heard my Dad complain about the limitations being a wheelchair or crutches user bring, and each day he continues to talk about how he is one of the 'lucky ones', and how his condition could be much worse. This positive mindset of his inspires me to contribute to the work of Spinal Research, so that more people living with a disability also have the chance to be a 'lucky one', and not let a disability get in the way of what they set out to achieve.

Of course, there wasn't an option of my Dad not being directly involved in this challenge! Ahead of the London Marathon, on Friday 24th/Saturday 25th April, my Dad will be hand-cycling from Leicester to Buckingham Palace (approx. 113 miles) to 'meet me at the finish line'.