Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In 1993, aged 42 my Dad was diagnosed with a form of MND known as spinal muscular atrophy. We, as his family were incredibly lucky to spend another 20 years with him.

My Dad initially lost the use of his arms and in the latter stages of his illness was in a wheelchair and was feed via a tube. The year before his passing, he was able to witness my brother, David and my sister in law, Jessica get married, followed by Rob and I. 

At our wedding, my Dad delivered the perfect father of the bride speech, a brilliant mix of humour and sentiment and was able to walk me down the aisle. This epitomised my Dad's fighting spirit, with the help of a speech and language therapist, he had rehearsed his speech for 6 months prior to the wedding. 

Our hero! 

Just 13 days before we said goodbye, he became a Grandad and thankfully met his beautiful granddaughter, Thea. He was so proud to become a Grandad and now has four amazing grandchildren: Thea, Arthur, Freya and Jude.

In March 2020, I started running a daily mile with Thea and Arthur. Due to the lockdown, I was unable to attend my normal Bootcamp and Circuits classes, therefore I decided to pursue the running. I entered the Great North Run solo challenge, however I was unable to complete this due to injury.

Eighteen months later I completed my first half marathon, the Great North Run in memory of my Dad.  It was an amazing, overwhelming experience in which £1,130 was raised for MND. Therefore, in the hope of raising further funds, I have entered the Edinburgh Marathon, my first and only marathon in what is my 40th year🤦‍♀️ ! 

You can shed tears that he is gone
Or you can smile because he has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that he will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that he has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember him and only that he is gone
Or you can cherish his memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what he would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.