Sparks raises money to fund pioneering children’s medical research. Like me, 1 in 30 children is born in the UK with a condition which may affect them for life. Sparks gives grants to doctors and scientists across the UK to look for the cures and treatments of the future so that children and families won't have to go through what we've been through. 

** Starting on Wednesday 20th April, Zoe will walk 5 miles a day of the London Marathon route, up until Saturday. On Sunday 24th, she'll join all the other marathon runners at the start and walk up to mile 6.2 to complete the full distance of the Virgin Monday London Marathon. To put themselves through the same physical challenge that Zoe will be experiencing, James and Alex will run a full marathon for each day that Zoe is walking **

My name is Zoe North, I was born three months premature, weighing just 2 lb 2 oz.

When I was born, I was the length of my father's wrist watch. As a result of my early birth I have a life long condition called  cerebral palsy. At the time of my diagnosis it was thought I would never walk, never talk or be independent.

Now 18 years on having faced my challenges to get to where I am today. I have decided to set myself a goal participate in the London marathon 2016 on behalf of Sparks.

Participating in the marathon has always been a dream for me. One I never thought I would be able to full-fill. That was until I met James Davies and Alex Wilson, from Deutsche Bank, who are both experienced marathon runners.

Both James and Alex have kindly volunteered to support me to try and reach my goal for 2016 and have agreed to participate in the Virgin Money London Marathon 2016 alongside me.