After (nearly!) three and a half decades mostly being lazy and selfish I've decided it is finally time to do something for other people.  Therefore, I am planning to attempt three Half Marathons in consecutive months, the Liversedge Half in February, the Wigan Half in March and finally the Sheffield Half in April in aid of my two chosen charities - The MPS Society and CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young).    

My wife Leigh lost her little brother, Paul, aged just 10 months to Mucopolysaccharide Disease.  This is a rare genetic condition which can cause severe disability and premature death.  The MPS Society is the only registered UK charity providing professional support to individuals, families and professionals affected by MPS and related diseases throughout the UK.

In 2005, I lost my football teammate, work colleague and good friend Jonathan Leigh to a previously undiagnosed heart defect.  There were no warning signs, Johnny simply went to bed one night a fit and healthy 20 year old, never to wake up.  Every week in the UK at least 12 young people die of undiagnosed heart conditions. Since its formation in 1995, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) has been working to reduce the frequency of young sudden cardiac death (YSCD).

Any donations of any amount are very gratefully received.  When donating please give to the charity with the lowest current total or consider splitting your donation 50:50 between the two, as I would like to keep the amounts as even as possible.  

Thank you

Alex