Yes, it's true; this picture may well depict the last time I was truly happy - drinking a huge mouthful of cold beer, without ever having to contemplate how it will feel the next day, when I attempt a 20-mile marathon training session in the freakin' cold, wet London winter.
"So why the HELL are you doing it then?!?" I hear you ask. Well...
...I will be running around 26 miles and 385 yards of Brighton's fair streets in aid of the Circulation Foundation. The Circulation Foundation is the UK’s only national charity dedicated to raising money for pioneering research into the causes, prevention and treatment of vascular disease. Vascular disease is as common as cancer and heart disease. It affects more than 4 million people in the UK alone and accounts for 200,000 preventable deaths per year.
Our family (and so many friends) said a sudden goodbye to my Granddad in 2008, following a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He was a total legend, and is incredibly missed by all who knew him. Raising money for the Circulation Foundation will go some way to aiding more research into this area, and to making me feel better about the fact that I don't get to see Billy anymore.
I would really, really (REALLY!) appreciate it if you could help me in this quest, by funding my poor (disproportionately short!) limbs to race their way to the finish line. I am hoping to raise an ambitious £3000 and will absolutely need the support of generous friends and family to get me there.
I am sure, if William Delaney was here, he would have something to say about my entering this marathon. Hmm, either:
a) "WHAAAT?!? A marathon?! They're giving you too much bloody holiday in that job of yours if you've got time to do that! Houses of bloody Parliament?? Life of bloody Riley, more like!"
or
b)"You want a pound, a mile? A POUND, a MILE?!?!? Who do you think I am, bloody Big Licks?! I'll give £3 if you finish, and that's your lot, you cheeky mare!"
or, if he was in a more benevolent mood
c) "Make sure you listen to some good music to keep you going. A bit of Gary Barlow'll do you good - none of that Robbie Williams, the back-stabbing little get!"
As he's, unfortunately, not here to tease and joke (or indeed to extol the virtues of Take That's previously fat frontman), I wholeheartedly expect you all to do so instead. I also humbly ask you to dig deep, be generous, and give some mazumah to this massively worthy cause.
Thank you kindly!
Amy xx
