Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

So I've been crazy enough to get a place running the London Marathon in 2012. A first timer to this kind of distance, I've not done any serious running since my athletics days - a LONG time back now for those of you who know me well! So I've decided to run for a very worthy charity to make the pain and suffering worthwhile - Refuge.

For those who aren't familiar with their work...

We believe that every woman and child experiencing domestic violence has different needs – there is no single package of services to meet those needs, no ‘one size fits all’.

Refuge offers a range of services which gives women and children access to professional support whatever their situation. These services include:

· National Domestic Violence Helpline - 24 hour & freephone

· A network of refuges across the country

· Independent legal advocacy

· Outreach services

· Culturally specific services

· Prevention and education

So, please donate money for my cause and do it through this page where it is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are kept safe and they won’t sell your details or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

The main reason I'm supporting Refuge is that a very dear friend of mine was forced into a refuge some years back when escaping a violent and destructive relationship, so I wanted to give something back on her behalf...

So please dig deep and donate now. In other words – GIVE ME YOUR MONEY, PRETTY PLEASE! I promise to post up any photos of me looking like crap, before, during and after the race so you can all laugh at me. And of me filling my face with Krispy Kreme at the end as a well-deserved treat for making it around London in Olympic year.

And to complete the torture I might have to wear a pink vest - yuck! Or, if it makes you lovely people donate to my sponsorship pot, I may even dress as Wally to run the 26 torturous miles...