A few years ago, I sat around the staff room table talking about crazy challenges with Mr Smith and we got onto the topic of the London Marathon... That year, a few of us made a pact to enter the ballot and if anyone got in, we'd all train together... Luckily for us all, we were all unsuccessful. Phew!

For some unknown reason, it became a yearly tradition for me to enter and await eagerly my rejection and put off the training for another year... until July this year when I received an email! It was time to get training.

Before July, the only running I did was running a bath and the thought of 42km after my first 2k run was slightly sickening. But somehow, in a magical transformation, I've made my way to the half marathon stage and even may describe myself as being a runner (albeit very slow!). In the final few weeks of training, I'm looking to raise some money for a very worthwhile cause to try and spur on the hard miles and motivate me through the long runs at the weekend!

RAB PTA is a cause very close to my heart and I'm always inspired by the money this amazing group of parents raises for our pupils at the school. Having worked at R A Butler since 2013, I've seen the amazing opportunities they've given our children and it's about time I've done something to help them after they've helped make my job easier for such a long time!

Any donation is really appreciated and will help get me through the inevitable tough time I'm going to have in April. The thought that Tower Bridge is only halfway round has given me recurring nightmares for months! But with the support of the whole school community, the knowledge that the effort is going towards a cause so great and the trusty 6Rs at my disposal (channelling resilience!), I know it's a challenge that can be completed!