So, after 15 years on the trot of being rejected for the London Marathon, 2027 was the year I was also rejected. But thanks to #TeamNorthCare, I've dusted off my running shoes, and I'll be taking on the challenge on Sunday 25th April 2027!

The London Marathon is an absolutely iconic race, and one I've always wanted to run - and running it for #TeamNorthCare.

At the beginning of COVID I decided to take a two week break from running, which I'm still on. I'm absolutely starting from scratch again so have 9 months (ish) to get fit enough to run 26.2 miles again!

NorthCare Charity helps Northern Care Alliance (NCA) NHS Foundation Trust deliver outstanding care across Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Salford by funding innovative equipment, education, research and wellbeing activities. Having worked at the NCA, I've seen the superb work that the charity does, not only in terms of supporting patients but investing in some of the most cutting edge equipment and facilities around, that "normal" NHS funding can't pay for. A great example is the RAPTOR theatre in the Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital which was paid for entirely through £1.4m of charitable donations.