Running has been a big part of my life for twenty years now. I enjoy a race, but only rarely have sought sponsorship.

But this year, I have been elected President of Solace (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers) which gives me the opportunity to raise funds for a national charity, a charity which does brilliant work, that means a lot to me.

On the evening of the 2nd October 2022, my dad was relaxing with a coffee after Sunday dinner, when suddenly he felt intense pain. He was experiencing a cardiac arrest, and despite getting to hospital alive, he never regained consciousness. He died three days later.

Dad lived a full and active life, he was still windsurfing only a few weeks before, but he never had the chance to say goodbye to my mum.

British Heart Foundation seek a vision of the world, free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases, seeking, through pioneering science, to find cures and treatments to give those affected by heart disease more time with their loved ones.

I am proud to be the President of Solace this year, running the London Marathon on their behalf, to raise vital funds for British Heart Foundation. This offers an opportunity for me to bring my passions of running, local government, and supporting efforts to tackle heart disease into completing this iconic marathon event in our capital city in April!

Solace is the leading members' network for local government and public sector professionals throughout the UK. We offer a range of services including personal and organisational development, events, and both interim and executive recruitment through our profit for purpose subsidiary, Solace in Business. In addition to our services, we also have an active policy team, who along with our policy leads, influence debate around the future of public services at this really important moment for our people, our places, and our communities.

Thank you so much for your support for British Heart Foundation, it really matters.