This will be my third London Marathon in a row, raising money for the Free Representation Unit. 

I was very generously supported by family and friends during both my previous attempts and thank everybody for helping me to raise over £2000 in total so far. FRU is in as much financial need as ever, so I have decided to make it a hat-trick.

A bit about FRU

FRU provides free casework and representation for people who do not have access to legal aid and do not have the means to pay. It relies on a huge body of volunteer lawyers and law students who provide assistance in employment law, criminal injuries compensation cases and social welfare. 

The work of FRU volunteers significantly improves the lives of clients and their families and puts people at ease during what is often an extremely difficult process. Particularly where benefits cases are concerned, the odds are purposefully stacked against claimants who are the subject of contracted-out, not-fit-for-purpose medical examinations and poor decision making  by government before being made to go unrepresented and unprepared before an often hostile tribunal. The existence of legal representation alone vastly improves a claimant's chance of success.

For more details about FRU please look here: http://www.thefru.org.uk/about-fru

A bit about running

The last two years I completed the marathon in 4:48 minutes, knocking a mighty 30 seconds off my time last year to cruise in at 4:48:12. This year I'm going to aim to break that famous 4:47:00 barrier.. 

Come and cheer me on if you don't mind crowds, and as always there will be a crowded pint to be had somewhere afterwards.