Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is an uncommon brain disorder that affects movement, balance, speech, swallowing, vision, mood and behaviour.  The disease gets progressively worse, with people becoming severely disabled within 3 to 5 years of onset.  There is currently no effective treatment.

This is the stark truth about a disease that, whilst it has a profound effect on individuals and their families, does not get much publicity.  Indeed most people will only hear of it if they, or someone they know, is diagnosed with it.  I certainly hadn't when my Nan was diagnosed with PSP in the early 1990s and, if I'm totally honest, I was young enough at the time not to really take note of the name of the disease, I just saw the impact that it was having.

It was not until my Uncle asked for donation to the PSP Association rather than wedding presents a few years ago that I took proper note of the disease's name.  That was just one example of fundraising that members of my family have undertaken since her diagnosis and I am proud that we are helping the PSP Association help people like my Nan, and their families.

But the time for me to stand on the sidelines is over - it's my turn to pitch in now. So I'm going to be running the London Marathon in April and would appreciate any support that you can give.  I have run a couple of half marathons in the past, but the idea of having to do another 13.1 miles after those seems pretty daunting.

Still, I had a good year of running in 2015 and I have about 16 weeks to the big day now, so bring it on!

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