The year I left university I said I wanted to run the London Marathon. That was nearly 20 years ago and up until September 2015 I hadn't even run a total of 26 miles during all of those years. 

As I approach 40 (yes I know, who'd believe it!) I feel it's now or never. 5 months into training I can't really say I am enjoying running but I really do want that medal! 

It's not easy; it hurts and fitting in training is tricky but it's nothing in comparison to the difficulties that Karen faced. 

So, why the Karen Morris Memorial Trust? (KMMT)

Although I remember her really well I didn't really know Karen and I'm not sure if she would ever have known who I was. There were 3 main reasons that I knew her.

Firstly, she was 2 years above me in RSY making her way cooler than me and someone who along with her friends I looked up to. Secondly, she was Debbi's (my sister) tour leader. The third reason is of course the worst. She was 'that person' the one who had a life threatening illness which ultimately took her life. 

KMMT was set up in 1998 to continue Karen's own fund raising initiative. In the time since then, KMMT has set up and funded an incredible 4 Karen's Homes from Home. These homes provide private accommodation for 13 families on site at the UK's leading leukaemia hospitals at any one time so families can be together during dark times. Each is a haven for patient's families where they can relax in comfortable surroundings and a safe bolt hole for patients when they can escape the cabin fever of the isolation room, even if only for a few hours. These homes are at Hammersmith Hospital in London, Churchill Hospital in Oxford, Addenbrooke's hospital in Cambridge and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. KMMT also funds complimentary treatments for haematology patients which would otherwise not be available. 

I am hoping that the money I raise will go on to support future projects. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Any donation, however small will be a huge gift for KMMT and extra motivation for me to get my trainers on! If you are unable to donate then please don't worry, words of motivation will also be gratefully received and if you don't have plans on Sunday 24th April then it would be great to see you lining the route shouting words of encouragement as I run/jog/walk/hobble/crawl past!

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.