I have always said that I would never run a marathon. So…..on May 10th I will be attempting to run the Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon for MNDA and would be ever grateful for your support, as I will most definitely need it. I could list the many reasons why I shouldn’t be doing a marathon, but none are greater than the reason why I should: for my wonderful brother, Kevin, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year. For those of you that don’t know him, Kevin is a kind, funny, selfless, hardworking, loving son/ husband/ father/ grandfather/ uncle/ son-in-law/ brother-in-law and friend to many. This cruel diagnosis changed all our lives in an instant. Motor Neurone Disease is a fatal, rapidly progressive disease, with no cure and no clear cause. Little is understood about the disease, which is why we need to spread awareness, and fund research to give those affected hope for future generations.

50% of all funds raised over £250 will go to the local York MND group. As well as providing invaluable emotional support, they have helped fund essential home adaptations, provided an electric wheelchair and other devices to support Kevin in day-to-day life. The other 50% will go to the national MNDA charity to continue to provide support grants to those affected, and importantly, to help keep pushing forward to find a cure.

Completing a marathon will be a real challenge for me. As many of you know I come from a swimming family – I really wasn’t made for running, I don’t even like running!! But at the end of the day, a challenge isn’t designed to be easy.

Every donation matters to help find that cure and to help people with MND live as well as they can, each and every day. If you are able to give, thank you, we hugely appreciate your support.