I never imagined I'd sign up to run a marathon. In fact, I'm definitely not a runner! But on Marathon Day, every step I take will be for someone who can't.

Two years ago, I lost my dad to Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He was just 53 years old.

My dad was simply the best. He was the person everyone turned to for advice, always knew how to make people laugh, and loved his family more than anything. He was a huge Chelsea fan and incredibly athletic, so it's quite ironic that I'm the one taking on a marathon when he would have been so much better at it than me! MND cruelly took away the strength and independence of someone who had always been so active, and watching that happen was heartbreaking.

MND is a devastating disease that robs people of their ability to move, speak and, eventually, breathe. It is cruel beyond words, and despite all the lives it destroys, there is still no cure.

That's why I'm taking on the London Marathon. I've been incredibly lucky to be given a place to run for the MND Association, and I'm even luckier that I'll be sharing this challenge with my husband. Together, we'll be running 26.2 miles in memory of my amazing dad and for every family facing this awful disease.

Training is going to be a huge challenge—especially as someone who has never considered themselves a runner—but whenever it gets tough, I'll think of my dad. Every mile, every blister and every early morning run will be for him.

The final miles of the marathon are especially meaningful to me. As I run towards the finish, I'll be passing St James's Park, where my dad's ashes are scattered. Knowing he'll be so close for those final moments will give me the strength to keep going. Crossing that finish line won't just mark the end of a marathon—it will be my tribute to him.

If you're able to support me, no matter how big or small the donation, you'll be helping fund vital research, support families living with MND, and bring us one step closer to finding a cure.

Thank you for helping me honour my dad's memory. I hope that one day, because of research funded by people like you, no other family has to go through what ours did.

Dad, this one's for you. Always. 💙