For those of you who know me you will be well aware that I am not a fitness fanatic and I haven't actually run since I left school 12 years ago-can it really have been that long?! So why therefore have I signed up for the Great Manchester 10 km run - well I have a reason very close to my heart and he is pictured here.

This is my gorgeous little nephew Kyle who was born on 03/12/2006 with a condition called Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF) and had a major operation at just 24 hours old.  After a few weeks in the Neo Natal unit my sister and her husband were able to bring the gorgeous bundle of joy home with them.  Since his birth Kyle has had several stints in hospital, a few of them following incidents where he stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated.  After several months in and out of different hospitals, my sister and her husband took Kyle to Gt Ormond Street where he was diagnosed with severe Tracheomalacia, another side effect of TOF. He had a major operation the next day to stop his windpipe collapsing and in turn stopping him breathing. He came out of the operation the strong little fighter he is and I am pleased to say that he is back home and his normal mischievous self.   

Unfortunately Kyle also has scoliosis, a severe S shape curve in his spine which is a side effect of the TOF condition and he will undergo several surgical procedures throughout his childhood to correct this.He is still a poorly little boy, he has incidents of choking and has a limited diet and other side effects due to his condition.

My sister and her husband have been through so much with Kyle in his short life so far and they would not have coped so well with everything if it wasn't for the TOF Society who have offered them vital help, support and information. TOFS also fund research into TOFS and raise awareness of the condition and and its side effects. I am raising money for TOFS and would be grateful of any pennies and pounds you are willing to part with to see me run (trust me it will be a rare sight) and to support this worthy cause. 

If you would like to find out more about TOFS please visit the website www.tofs.org.uk
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: TOFS will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now and many thanks for your support.