The London Marathon has become an annual, inspiring and colourful fixture in the world’s sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29 March 1981: over the years more than a million people have completed the 26.2-mile course – which runs from Blackheath to The Mall, with a spectacular finish in front of Buckingham Palace, showcasing the very best that the capital city has to offer.

What’s more, these participants have raised over a billion pounds for charity and there have been countless amazing tales of human achievement throughout the event’s history – living up to its aim of helping participants ‘to have fun, and provide some happiness and sense of achievement in a troubled world’.

I am running (well, mainly fast walking!) for the charity that steps forward in the moments that matter, to save lives and keep communities safe. It is only with your help that we can continue to help keep communities safe.

Please help me to hit my fundraising target by making a donation, to help the lifesaving work of St John Ambulance. I've been lucky enough to watch the race a few times to support friends and family and every time I've seen the invaluable contribution that St John Ambulance make to the community; always there, always helping. It's time for me to give back to them.