MAGDALENE DALZIEL

We’ve ensured our nation remains the least likely anywhere in the world to learn a new lingo

focused and gave me a purpose. And without the children, I don’t know how I would have been. They’ve been the main focus, as I had to make sure they were OK – and the fundraising has given me another focus.

“After all the things I’ve been through, I can walk on glass and walk on hot coals – it’s a doable thing. If I can deal with what happened to Mark and bring up the kids, I can do that.

“You look at people who suffer from MND and how they would love to be able to do things like that. They would love to have a chance to go on sponsored walks and run a 5k.

“By the end, Mark could do absolutely nothing for himself. I had to dress him and scratch his itches and move him into bed. He wasn’t able to move a muscle in his body.

“So if I’m struggling doing these things for charity, I think how appreciative someone with MND would be to be able to do that and it will help push me through.

“Mark will be in my mind. Not a day goes by when I don’t think of him. “I think at the time you do go through a lot of ‘why is this happening to us, what have I done wrong?’

“I think what you should ask is, ‘Why not you?’ These things happen to other people, it’s not just you.

“I try to think there’s always someone worse off than yourself. It’s just life. Sometimes you get thrown a curveball and you’ve got to work around it.”

And she’s grateful for the years she got to spend with Mark.

Erica said: “Some people go through life and don’t meet someone so special. Mark and I met when we were young and got married. I have got to focus on the years we did have and I’ve got the kids.

“If Abbi achieves something, she will say, ‘But Daddy’s not here to see it.’

“And I say, ‘But he’s looking down on you and watching what you’re doing. He’d be proud of you and the things you’ve done and what you’ve achieved.’”