Despite the natural impulse to hail a taxi whenever the idea of running is suggested I am forced to confess that on Sunday 11th October I will be running in the Parks Half Marathon in London.

It goes without saying that it is my first half marathon and represents the longest run I have attempted since being very late to a free wine-tasting at Corney & Barrow in late 90s.

I am running to raise money for brainstrust, a UK based brain cancer charity, dedicated to improving clinical care for brain tumour sufferers and providing co-ordinated support in their search for treatment. Since the death of my wife Denise from a brain tumour three years ago I have worked with a number of relevant charities and last year my girlfriend Lucy ran the New York marathon for another cancer charity and raised nearly £4,000. 

Sadly, I no longer appear to be able to delegate this activity.

As I am in the middle of a belated gap year most of my training to date has been at temperatures of over 30 C and, despite the laws of physics and geography, appears to have been entirely uphill. If the importance of the work of brainstrust is not sufficiently convincing then I urge you to give for the wicked pleasure of forcing me to go through with this idiotic stunt.

You may also wish to maximise the value of your gift by watching me wheeze around the course on the 11th of October.

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.