UPDATE - Unfortunately due to a knee injury, I wasn't able to run the marathon on yesterday. I have requested a deferral from TCS to run in next years race. Thank you to everyone for their kind donations thus far! Watch this space!

Amateur, enthusiast, first-timer, call it what you will but I am running the London Marathon. With three goals, 1) to complete it 2) to have fun and 3) to raise lots of money for a really worthy cause!

I was lucky enough to secure my place through my work ballot and as such I am running for the Carer's Network, the Lord Mayor's chosen charity. The Carers Network supports, unpaid carers who provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Taking on a caring role can be sudden; someone in their family has an accident or a child is born with a disability. For others, caring responsibilities can grow gradually over time; their parents cannot manage on their own any longer or a partners mental or physical health gradually worsens.