This year I'm taking on the 2026 Great North Run in support of the MS Society, a charity that means a great deal to me for very personal reasons.

I was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) in my late teens. Thankfully, I've been incredibly fortunate and have experienced relatively few relapses since my diagnosis. I know that isn't everyone's experience, and I've seen first-hand just how unpredictable and life-changing MS can be, not only for me but for other members of my family too.

MS is an unpredictable condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It damages the protective coating around nerves (myelin), causing a wide range of symptoms that can affect how people move, think and feel. More than 150,000 people in the UK are living with MS, and while treatments and specialist care can help people manage the condition, there is currently no cure.

Four years ago, I decided to lace up my trainers again, partly because I wanted to keep up with my son at parkrun (I realised I was becoming the one holding him back!) and partly to get fitter as I approached the big 4-0. What started as a way to spend time together and improve my fitness has become something I genuinely love.

The Great North Run has always been on my bucket list, so when the opportunity came to run it for the MS Society, I didn't hesitate. It feels like the perfect way to challenge myself while raising money for a cause that has been part of my life for so many years.

The MS Society provides vital support through its MS Helpline and local groups, campaigns on the issues that matter most to people living with MS, and funds groundbreaking research to help stop MS in its tracks. Their work gives hope, practical support and a stronger voice to everyone affected by the condition.

If you're able to support me, no matter how big or small the donation, I'd be hugely grateful. Every contribution helps the MS Society continue its incredible work supporting people living with MS today while driving research towards a future where no one has to face this condition.

Thank you so much for your support, encouragement and generosity. Together, we really are strong enough to stop MS.