This October, I will be taking on the challenge of running the Dublin City Marathon (my first marathon) and in the process, I will be raising funds for St. James’s Hospital Foundation, an organisation very close to my heart for a number of reasons. Firstly, my wonderful Mum worked as a nurse at St. James's for over 20 years, during which time I saw the passion and dedication with which she approached her job everyday (including throughout the COVID pandemic). Then 6 years ago, after suddenly falling ill, my Dad underwent emergency heart surgery in St James’s cardiothoracic Keith Shaw Unit. The surgery, expertise, and care he benefited from during his time in St James’s ultimately saved his life, and my family and I will forever be grateful for this. I will be raising funds which will go towards enhancing facilities, support, innovation and research at St James’s. Any donation, big or small, would be hugely appreciated and will go a long way to supporting a truly worthy cause.