Hi it's me again..... sorry! Thank you all very much for your generous donations to my half marathon campaign last year. It was decided that another goal was needed for 2016 and also another marathon tale from me! Last year, John and I proudly watched my sister Maria and her husband David, fly down the Mall to complete the RideLondon-Surrey 100 for a second time. Caught up in the moment, full of inspiration and bravado and without a seconds thought of the massive efforts involved, we decided that we too could do it and hastily entered the ballot for 2016, not expecting for a minute that we would actually get a place! Well in all honesty I didn't get a place in the ballot, but John, Maria & David did. Not one to be left out, it seemed only right that I should offer my services to the British Lung Foundation, which they kindly accepted and I have been training ever since. My longest ride so far has been 43 miles, and I am gradually building up towards the big ONE HUNDRED EEEEEEEK - what on earth have I done!! Training in the Yorkshire Dales is a priviledge, but there are some bloomin' pesky hills I can tell you! I am making slow but steady progress, and I am now able to get up hills that taunted me back at the start. I had promised myself that after the unbelievable generosity of you all last year that I would knock the fundraising on the head for a few years to help your pockets recover, so I do feel rather guilty in coming to you cap in hand once more. However, I am sure you will agree that it is a fantastic cause. My dear father-in-law Ray Eddington passed away 11 years ago from lung disease. Since then, Sue my fab mother-in-law set up a trust with the British Lung Foundation in his name, for which John, his brother Chris and sister Cathy have run marathons and trekked across deserts to raise money. As most of you will know, four years ago, having suffered from asthma since my teenage years, I became unwell myself and was eventually diagnosed with bronchiectastis and sarcoidosis. Typically for me (I have always been the awkward one!) there is still a great deal for scientists and medics to understand about these diseases and they prove hard to diagnose. Fortunately for me, I have had amazing support from my GP, respiratory physio, respiratory consultant, swimming teacher and of course last but certainly far from least John and my family. They have all spurred me on in my quest to get as fit as possible in order to improve my lung health and immune system. It appears to be paying off as recent lung function tests show that I have improved lung function since my last tests 2 years ago. This is down to finally receiving the right treatment and also to the exercise I have been doing. The difference being fit and having the right treatment has made to me has been literally life changing. I know there are many thousands of people out there that have things way worse than me, and it is for that reason I chose to support the British Lung Foundation to help improve their lives. One of things that funds raised will support are their Breathe Easy support groups. In their words: Just one last word from me... I have to thank my training partners John and Debs for their incredible patience and support. I hope to do you both proud. Thanks all in advance for your generosity, knowing you have my back will mean everything and help me through every mile, one at a time! Cxx