Thank you for taking the time to visit my page. As you know, on 25th April, I am running the marathon again and this time I'm raising money for Save the Rhino (although not dressing up in one of their famous costumes!). Some money has already been generously donated. However there remain more rhinos to be saved..

I wanted to raise money for Save the Rhino because I’m getting married on 22^nd May and we are going to spend our honeymoon on safari in South Africa and then Zambia. The African bush is one of the most inspiring places on earth. Part of this is the awesome scenery. Part of it is the wildlife. Some of the great African animals have grown in numbers over recent years. Elephants in particular have prospered in certain places. But others like the rhino remain in danger of extinction. There are only around 25,000 rhinos in the wild across the entire globe. In some places populations have fallen below critical breeding mass. In others, they have become extinct altogether. We should be lucky on our honeymoon. It is very likely that we will see rhino. But imagine how sad it would be if all of our children never had the chance to see these majestic and prehistoric animals.

Save the Rhino have made it their job to ensure that that never happens. They study, protect and nurture rhino populations wherever in the world there remain rhinos in the wild. I very much hope that you will take this opportunity to support them generously.

If you would like to sponsor me through the marathon, I would be very flattered and Save the Rhino would be very grateful. Any and all amounts sponsored are very welcome.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. You just give your credit card details (which JustGiving will never sell on or use to send you unwanted emails). Once you have donated, they’ll send your money directly to Save the Rhino. You don't need to be from the UK to sponsor through this route but if you are a UK taxpayer, they make sure that Gift Aid also is reclaimed. So it’s the most efficient way to donate.

This London Marathon will be my fifth marathon and my second in London. My best time was in the 2006 London Marathon when I managed 3h 31m 52s. Most recently I managed to do the 2009 New York Marathon in 3h 38m 32s. These times are all very well and I'm proud of the 2006 best - but they are some way short of what I'm convinced I can do. 3h 15m is (and has for some time been) my holy grail. If I manage to do it this time – and raise a good amount of money for Save the Rhino, I will get married as a happy man!

Thank you

Nicholas