After fifty years of not doing sport and definitely not running, I’ve done a complete turnaround! From doing my first 5k in the Race for Life on the Downs in Bristol in 2017, I’ve added more and more to my distance and now I’ve gone and got myself a place in the London Marathon on 28 April 2019. EEK!

That is less than three months away, so the prospect of running 26.2 miles becomes more real by the day! I run for fitness, to reduce my risk of the recurrence of cancer and yes, I admit it, because I love it. But it is still going to be tough, so I need your help with the motivation, choosing a great cause to run in aid of.

So, what do you think? Who should I run for?

I want to make the most of this opportunity to shine a light on some of Bristol’s fantastic charities, encourage more giving and fundraising and also raise awareness of the cause behind the charity.

In the next few weeks, with your help, I will be putting together a shortlist of possibilities.

I’d like them to be based in Bristol or important for Bristolians. I already have some ideas, but I’d like to know what you think are the best charities, campaigns or organisations in the area that deserve more support.

Is there a specific project which could make a good target for fundraising? I hope to be able to raise a few thousand pounds. If I can show that this money will fund something tangible which will truly change people’s lives, I am likely to be able to raise more. So please get creative, I am open to any suggestions you may have!

Please add your ideas to my quick survey, before the deadline of midday on 14 February 2019. I will consider every suggestion.

Let the people decide!

Once I have chosen a shortlist of organisations and projects, I plan to put this out to a public vote to decide which should receive the money raised from sponsorship.

I will announce the shortlist on my website, Facebook and Twitter. I will also need your help in encouraging people to vote for your favourite option.

Help me train

After the choice is made, I will be getting in touch with different sporting and community organisations to arrange some training events – this is to help me with my training, but also to meet some of the great organisations keeping people fit around Bristol.

If you run a sports club, or a keep fit class, or something you think I could come and join to help with my training, get thinking about what we could do together and get in touch!