This year, I'll be running forty miles for charity in the following races: - 

- Edinburgh Half Marathon (26th May)

- Great North Run (15th September)

- Royal Parks Half Marathon (6th October)

- Some awful mile in mud I'm yet to source (TBC)

This is horrendous in so many ways, but firstly: one is really soon, and I can't run. Secondly, the remaining two are 3 weeks apart. As a third harsh blow, I have to visit the north. Horror. 

"Why then, Forty, would you do such a horrible thing?"

Because of wonderful charitable philanthropic goodness, friends! I'm saving your souls, by getting you to give to a good cause. 

"Which good cause? I haven't heard of them."

Buttle UK –  the clue is in the name. They provide the services of a Butler to underprivileged children so that they may become privileged.

I jest.

They are in the business of saving underprivileged children. When they’ve saved enough, they’re going to send off for a yacht.

I jest again.

I can confirm they do many marvelous things - all of which provide essential funding to children and young people in the UK living in poverty.

One of the things you’ll have heard me talking about will have been funding school fees. One of the things you’ll have heard me defending will be the school fees programme; and so it is this I shall try to explain:

If a child is in the incredibly unfortunate position of losing their parents at a young age, the usual state of affairs would be for them to enter the state care system. As we know, this has mixed results and possibly isn’t looked on too favourably by the child – especially one who has just lost his/her mother/father. However, another option could be that their grandparents are able to look after them, which is often the case. Naturally, given the circumstances, this is often the most favourable situation – I know that given the choice, this is the option I’d like to be able to choose.

Imagine that in five years time, these same grandparents develop some of the health problems commonly associated with old age. Realistically, it will be a challenge to look after themselves – let alone a young or teenage grandchild. The prospect of care reappears, often at a difficult age. These grandparents are not in a position to fund alternative arrangements, such as boarding school. Many of them would be receiving state pension, and minimal additional support. They were not, after all, expecting to care for their grandchildren full-time. 

 If a charity were to step in at this stage and fund a place at a local state or independent boarding school, to enable the young person to remain in their family's care while gaining a education, excellent pastoral care and a multitude of other benefits as a result of not entering the care system, that would be a very wonderful thing, would it not?

It all sounds like something out of Nicholas Nickleby, slightly unbelievable and a bit too simplistic. With the addition of stories of abuse, ongoing health problems for the child and so on, it starts to look even more like a solution to a Dickensian situation– but it's certainly not unbelievable. This week alone I’ve spoken to several beneficiaries who have passed on similar stories, and are now off to university, drama school, military academies or beginning their chosen career – and lots say they owe everything to Buttle UK.

I’ve got masses of quotes, stories and stats should you wish to know more – it’s only a small part of what they do, and I’ll gladly tell you the rest, www.buttleuk.org.

If you're content with seeing my legs tortured, hurry up and give me £4.