My name is Maria Futter and I will be joining thousands of other people to take part in the Flora London Marathon on the 13th April 2008.

It’s just over 26 miles of blood, sweat & tears, along with plenty of cold lonely early morning runs, why I hear you ask??? Well that’s easy, I’m running for my chosen charity "The Cystic Fibrosis Trust".

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust who do an amazing amount of work not only in trying to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis but also in supporting families of CF Sufferers and improving their day to day lives.

It's a charity that is very close to my heart, my dear friend Nikki , Nicola Cowen (Pictured Left) suffered from Cystic Fibrosis.

Cystic Fibrosis is the UK's most common life-threatening, inherited disease and affects more than 7500 babies, children and young adults. Symptoms can include poor weight gain, troublesome coughs, repeated chest infections.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects a number of organs in the body (especially the lungs and pancreas) by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus.

At present there is no cure for CF, but the faulty gene has been identified and doctors and scientists are working to find ways of repairing or replacing it. One of the main objectives of the CF Trust is to fund this work.

People with CF are living longer than ever before. Until the 1930s, the life expectancy of a baby with CF was only a few months. Today the average life expectancy for someone with CF is around 31 years.

Nikki and I grew up together and we became very close, Nikki became my closest friend. It’s hard to believe that she must have already known her fate, as she had already seen it with her very own younger sister and so many close CF friends, she still faced each day with a smile that could melt any heart.

Nikki received a life saving Heart & Lung Transplant which gave a couple of wonderful extra years but sadly a transplant isn’t a cure for CF, it’s only a chance of extra time until the CF strikes again.

Nikki fought a tough battle right up until the very end, even when she knew she couldn’t win she never gave up fighting, Nikki sadly lost her fight for life 25th November 1993 aged just 20 years old.

I know the money we raise can't help Nikki but if we can help the children of the future, so hopefully there never has to be another baby born with Cystic Fibrosis, then what better way to celebrate Nikki's life and her memory.

In the UK alone each week five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis,

Whilst each week in the UK three young lives are lost to Cystic Fibrosis

To learn more about Cystic Fibrosis, Me or Nikki please visit my Web Page www.runittogether.co.uk

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page, Please dig deep and sponsor me on-line.  Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure.  It is also the most effcient way to sponsor me: Cystic Fibrosis Trust 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.

Also think of me on the 13th April, 26.2 miles is nothing when you have seen first hand what Cystic Fibrosis can do.  I shall be running every mile with a smile on my face and Nikki in my heart.

Many Thanks For your support,

Maria xx