Many of you know that the London Marathon is a life long dream of mine and I was one of the lucky ones to secure my place through the general ballot. My first and only choice to raise funds was for the amazing local charity who means so much to me and my family - Uniting Friends

With ongoing health issues over the past 3 years it is not going to be easy for me, it will be slow, but the training is going well and I am ahead of my goals so walk, run or crawl I will succeed.

Uniting Friends is a social inclusion project for adults with a learning disability. They are a small independent charity based in East London.

My daughter Abigail has been attending this amazing service for over 9 years. Uniting Friends vision is for a world which recognises values and celebrates the lives and equal participation of people with a learning disability in society and without this provision Abigail's world would be a sheltered one.

Uniting Friends purpose is to provide opportunities for people to take part in social and educational activities in order to express their unique identities and develop their skills to reach their full potential in the community. They are a user-led service, which ensures that adults with a learning disability take a leading role in defining and running their own provision.

Without this service Abigail would be isolated. They have not only given her a social life but have given her vital support to navigate her life and be as independent as possible. Uniting Friends is a family and not just a service. Their support to adults with learning disabilities is formidable and as a small charity every penny raised goes direct to making a difference to those who uses the service.