I have done the marathon before but this is the first time for the National Blind Children's Society - I decided I wanted to do it for a local cause.

I started training immediately at the start of 2007 but was hit by a flu virus so had to take two weeks out of the programme.

At the moment I am doing about 40 miles a week, spread over about five days and so far it’s been okay.

I’m still a little bit behind schedule but am confident I am going to get back on it.

All charities are very worthy and very good and it’s really difficult to choose one, what normally makes somebody choose a charity is if it’s something that involves them.

This time I wanted to give a local cause a chance, it’s nice that their headquarters is just around the corner and I can put something back into the town.

In the shop we have a collection bottle for the charity and whenever anyone comes in for small jobs we ask for a small donation instead of charging them.

Anyone that wants to sponsor me they can give me a ring on 01278-782677.

If there are any runners doing the marathon for the first time, maybe you could let me know here and perhaps I can offer some tips from my experiences.