I have always wanted to run a marathon. I've often told myself that I would one day, but I suppose what I was waiting for was a reason why...

When I became a councillor in Wembley Central, I realised pretty soon that the community was one at high risk of heart-related illnesses. Wherever there is social deprivation, as there is in Wembley, heart disease is always round the corner. 

It can be hard to convey the dangers of heart disease to those who haven't witnessed its effects. Cancer, for example, has a much more visible impact on people's lives. But diabetes or a heart attack ... well, people very often don't see them coming.

And that is part of the problem. Over the next few months, more than raising money, I'd like to try and raise awareness of the risks of heart-related diseases and conditions.

Because the chances are, we all know someone, somewhere, with a bad heart.