In May 2025, I lost my Uncle, David Watkin to scleroderma. This year marks the first anniversary of his passing, and I wanted to celebrate him in a way that reflects the strength and character he showed throughout his life.

Scleroderma is a rare, chronic disease affecting the immune system, blood vessels and connective tissue. It is an autoimmune condition, meaning the immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissue, resulting in hardened, thickened skin and potential damage to blood vessels and internal organs.

At present, there is no cure for this disease.

I’m running the Edinburgh Marathon on May 24th 2026 in support of Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK), a charity dedicated to supporting people living with scleroderma and Raynaud’s, funding vital research, and raising awareness of these complex conditions.

Edinburgh was a city close to my uncle’s heart. He lived, worked and raised his family there. Every mile ran is a tribute to the incredibly stoic, witty and kind man he was.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how big or small, you’ll be helping to fund research, specialist support, and brighter futures for people affected by scleroderma and Raynaud’s.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.