No I am not running! I’m surprised you asked – physical endurance is still not my thing. However, in a bid to match the efforts of our incredible athletes who are training for this grueling event, and are working hard to raise money and awareness for the CatWalk Trust, I am asking that you to support my fundraising appeal too.

I first learned about the CatWalk Trust after our team captain's beautiful young daughter, Holly, was paralysed in a devastating car accident. The courage and commitment of Dave and Tash, Alex and Holly, and their subsequent involvement with the CatWalk Trust galvanised me to become a supporter.

The enthusiasm, optimism and determination of the CatWalk Board to fund the research that will ultimately produce the cure for spinal cord injury is inspiring, as is the scientific progress coming out of the Spinal Cord Research Facility at Auckland University. It thrills me that New Zealand is at the forefront of the global breakthrough developments that will ultimately get everyone suffering such injuries out of their wheelchairs and back on their feet, and it is a privilege to be associated with such a worthy endeavour.

As the coordinator of the Team CatWalk 2017 New York Marathon fundraising campaign, it’s my job to get our amazing runners safely to the right place at the right time with everything they need, and ensure they have a great time. My travel to New York has been generously sponsored by Marathon Tours, so every dollar you donate to my appeal goes directly to the CatWalk cause.

We are on the cusp of finding a solution that will improve lives the world over, so please dig deep so we can continue with this essential work.