Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send 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.

Highland Cross is raising money for 4 local charities with very specific expenditure purposes in mind.   Some people get a perverse enjoyment out of running 20 miles and cycling 30.  Not me!   My participation in the event is purely a fund raising exercise, with absolutely no satisfaction being had from the event, other than in attracting a MASSIVE sum of money.   I detest running, I go very slowly indeed, and parts of me hurt that I didn't even know existed until now.  Please give generously, to match the unbridled pain, sweat and time that I am contributing.

16/6/10 update - 3 days to go..... training thankfully over, contestant almost out!   People have been fantastically supportive, with c. £2,700 raised.  It would be great to get to £3k.....or even 4.   I've made the ultimate sacrifice, by buying a pair of horrible nylon running shorts, so you can too by topping up the kitty.

21/6/10 update - all over, bar the therapy.   Fantastic weather apart from a sneaky north east wind that impeded an otherwise sizzling cycle section.   The running section was predictably awful but I managed to resist the siren call of the tea and buns at 14 miles, from which I am told it is almost impossible to re-start.  Several people were polite enough to comment on my stout khaki trousers (at least I think they were being polite) and the reassuring lack of lycra, and I sped into Beauly in 5 hours 36 mins, on a waft of ibuprofen but ahead of target .   Support on the day was wonderful, but even better was the sum of money raised, without which it really would have been a hollow cause.   Very many thanks to all of you that have contributed, and it's never too late for those of you who are still thinking about it.   I have a spare pair of horrible unused nylon shorts for sale if that's what it takes to winkle your donation out of you.

28/6/10 - and finally - A Charitable Thought:

A little tip to anyone, who thinks it sounds like real good fun

To run and bike from coast to coast, for 50 miles so you can boast

You've joined the Highland Cross elite, who carry out this annual feat.

In carefree mode some months ahead, with nothing else lined up instead,

You'll hear yourself agreeing that you're getting on and slightly fat,

And what a great idea it sounds, to raise some cash and lose some pounds.

But as the weeks tick by, you'll find the training is a ghastly grind,

Plodding round some muddy trail, and cycling through the sleet and hail,

Or sweating in the sunshine lots, while chafing in some curious spots.

And as the big event draws near, how rash your plan will now appear,

As more and more you ache and wheeze, from ageing joints and knackered knees,

And count the cost of wear and tear - especially all that physio care.

So banish all those dangerous thoughts of squeezing into lycra shorts

And feeling that you might enjoy being Paula Radcliffe or Chris Hoy.

Just stick to armchair sport on telly - cheaper and less sore and smelly.

BUT....if you participate, and get kind people to donate

To this great cause, and raise a pile of money......then it's all worthwhile,

And 5 hours 36 of pain is nothing versus all that gain.

So thanks to all who sponsored me, and forced me from my nice TV

To carry out this crazy plan, aged 49, while I still can,

Even though it took its toll.   Now....where's that remote control?

James