Being in my mid-thirties - where Strava is the only social media platform I still understand - I figured it was about time I signed up for my first ever marathon. And what better place to start than in front of my home crowd in London.

But this run is about much more than ticking off 26.2 miles, personal milestones, and earning “kudos” from my fitness friends.

I’m running to raise funds for SUDEP Action, in memory of Emily Sumaria. Emily was my wife Amy’s little sister. One December, while studying at Leeds University, Emily went to bed one night and tragically never woke up.

Emily had epilepsy, but it was fully controlled with medication. You could count the number of seizures she’d had on one hand. It took four months for the coroner to confirm that Emily had died from SUDEP - Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. Her family had never heard of SUDEP, and no one had warned them it was a risk. Since that moment, we’ve all been determined to change that.

That’s where you come in.

If you’re able to donate - whether it’s the price of your morning coffee or something more generous - you’ll be helping SUDEP Action save lives, support bereaved families like Amy’s, and make sure people with epilepsy are properly informed and protected.

Every pound really does make a difference, particularly as my employer generously matches every pound donated. I promise to earn it, one mile at a time.

About SUDEP Action: Although most people with epilepsy live long and healthy lives, epilepsy is one of the top ten causes of early death. SUDEP Action focuses on prevention, support, and involving families in the fight to reduce epilepsy-related deaths.

Thank you so much for reading, sharing, and donating!