I’m running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for NACOA

I’m running the London Landmarks Half Marathon for a wonderful charity I’m so proud to be a patron of NACOA who support children of alcoholics.

But I’m also running for my dad ‘Jon Ash’ who I miss every single day.

He was the life and soul of every party.

He introduced me to such a great range of music.

On his record player blasting out as loud as the neighbours would tolerate was always The Who, The Kinks, Yes, Pink Floyd, Carole King, The Carpenters, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Lovin Spoonful, Aztec Camera, Supertramp, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Don Mclean, Deacon Blue and so much more.

He loved listening to The Stone Roses and Oasis with me in my teenage years. Though I was less convinced when he came back from Asda with a CD of Coldplay’s Parachutes….

He had the most vivid, amazing stories about Manchester nightlife. Of the characters who would gamble in the Playboy where he worked and met my mum who was a bunny girl.

Stories of Jeremy Thorpe’s defence barrister George Carman QC at the blackjack table before heading to London for the trial.

Stories of TV personalities and footballers. And stories of drinking in Manchester’s Press Club with all sorts till the early hours.

He taught me about the Labour Party. He sat me before the 6 o clock news in the early 80s. He pointed out Michael Foot, Tony Benn and Neil Kinnock telling me our house was voting for them.

In 1997 he watched the election night coverage urging me to stand one day. He always believed in me.

His advice to me it’s no good moaning about things but you need get out there and do something. And so I did.

But he never lived to see me become an MP.

He never lived to see his two beautiful granddaughters Grace and Annie. I know they would have meant the world to him.

So in two weeks today - even though I’ve not done enough training - I’ll be running slowly around London for ‘Jon Ash’ and every child of an alcoholic.

I would be so touched if you could donate to NACOA for me it is such an important, precious cause.

#COA #LLHM2025’