I have been training hard for 6 mths against a background of severely testing circumstances with a goal to do Boston UK Marathon.

Throughout my training my Dad, Ken Walton was fighting his own battle.

He battled so bravely but sadly lost his long, protracted battle on 6 April.

Dad was a strong hard working man and lost his life to Asbestosis, a condition he contracted unknowingly whilst working at British Rail Derby, and his work in Southampton.

With just 6 days to go, my Daughter was also seriously ill in hospital and it hung in the balance if I’d even be able to go ahead.

I hadn’t intended to do a fundraiser for this, but it felt as though it all fell in to place.

I assumed I was just run down, but had unknowingly caught Sophie’s virus and ran the marathon in a daze, but still managed to get a PB.

It is now three weeks later and I am about to do Southampton marathon, my hometown.

It’s an incredibly strange feeling to be here now, and I’m still not sure if I’m coming or going. I just know this is for my heart, my way of grieving.

I would be grateful if you are able, to please kindly donate to this charity who helped Dad, and all those suffering from this awful disease.

Thank you