My lovely sister Katie is fighting Aplastic Anaemia, for the SECOND time.

For those that have never heard of it, Aplastic Anaemia is an ultra-rare and life-threatening blood disorder caused by the bone marrow function not working properly. In people with Aplastic Anaemia, the bone marrow fails to produce enough of all three types of blood cells – red, white and platelets. It only affects 2 in every 1,000,000 people and the exact occurrence of the disease is still not known.

Some people will know that Katie was suddenly diagnosed in 2013 with this illness. She underwent intensive treatment in hospital and needed countless blood and platelet transfusions. She stayed on medication for two years before going into remission. Unfortunately last year she suffered a relapse and is fighting it once again.

I am raising money for The Aplastic Anaemia Trust - a charity which is dedicated to help fund research into the illness and also provide emotional and clinical support to patients and their families. In the 1980's, only 30% of patients survived Aplastic Anaemia, but thanks to the Trust, that figure is now 80%. Without this charity, the survival rate wouldn't be as high as it is today.

Part of my fundraising is taking on the Etape Loch Ness Challenge. It is a 66-mile cycle road race taking place around Loch Ness. For those that know me, know that I am not sporty in any way. I have never even been on a road bike before! So I have just over 8 weeks to get myself prepared. I'm not going to lie, I'm dreading it! But, if I can raise some money along the way then it will make it all worthwhile. Laura Preston