This is me and my mum, not long after I ran the London Marathon in 2015.

11 years later and not only have I finally recovered, I’m doing it all over again. Training has not been a joy (I’m older, fatter, and it has rained a lot), but memories of mum cheering me round the course have helped me along.

I have memories of watching the race too. One year a runner asked me to help stretch his calf while he lay on the ground. Eager to help I over stretched it, he screamed in pain and I fled the scene.

Back in 2015, I raised money for Parkinson’s UK, who are leading the fight against a disease Mum never let stop her, and I’ll be raising money for Parkinson’s again this year.

It’ll be a tough race without mum to cheer me on, so please come down and give me a heckle. And if you’re looking for something charitable to get behind, please consider donating to a great cause.