My friend Helen is pretty special. If you’ve read my book you’ll know that physical activity is difficult for her. I’m not just talking about the way that it’s difficult for some of us with a large dose of lazyitus, I’m talking having to be really careful. It would be easy for her to use her medical condition to shy away from being active. And yet, she hasn’t.

Helen has worked really hard over the past couple of years with her medical team and a cardiac nurse to be able to increase the amount of exercise she can do. Although it’s been difficult she knows how much good it’s doing her in the long run.

My friend Helen has been a huge supporter of my runs and triathlons. She came to Brighton to cheer me on in my first marathon and has put me up and driven me to the very early starts of my triathlon events. She tells me how amazing the things that I’ve done this year are, and yet it’s her that seems amazing to me.

This year Helen has decided to take on her own challenges. Together we climbed tot he top of the O2 in London. She (and I’m particularly proud of this one) did her own DIY triathlon at her local gym – swimming in the pool then getting on the exercise bike and the treadmill in quick succession.

Next up she’ll do the Colour Run in London. She’ll be run-walking her way through the 5k while getting paint thrown at her. A 5k might be easy for you, but I know this will be a challenge for Helen. Then in October she’ll be doing a obstacle mud run too.

Helen is doing all this to raise money for other people. Because that’s what she’s like. She’s always thinking about others and doing what she can to make the world a better place. I’m very proud of her.