I'm going to run another marathon! The exciting thing is that the last time I tried a marathon I broke my shoulder! If I hurt myself this time I'll miss the plane home as this 42 km run is in Berlin.

I'm hoping to raise funds for SOS Children's Villages; the world's largest orphan and abandoned children's charity. Child sponsors and donors worldwide provide a new family and home for more than 78,000 children in 500 unique Children's Villages in 124 countries. Our supporters also help a million children and their families through SOS community outreach programmes.

The charity provides children with a home, a family and a new mother in a purpose-built local Village, where they can stay until they are ready for independent life. They currently run 500 of these unique SOS Children’s Villages, and 400 Youth Homes, caring directly for more than 78,000 children in 124 countries worldwide. However, they don't just provide care for children in the Villages, but play an important role in supporting the development and sustainability of their local communities. They build and run 231 SOS Nurseries and 185 Schools which are open to children in their care and to those from the wider community and 61 Vocational Training Centres which equip more than 174,000 children, teenagers and young adults with the practical skills they need to earn a living and lead independent lives.

In areas where medical support is scarce or non-existent, they build SOS Medical Centres which provide communities with immediate medical treatment and preventative and palliative care.

They also offer skills, training, education, counselling, micro-loans and improved nutrition to vulnerable families so they are able to provide for their children and stay together through difficult times.

And in times of conflict, famine or disaster, they are quick to provide emergency assistance. SOS Children played a pivotal role in helping Pakistan earthquake victims (and continues its work in ongoing conflict zones in countries such as Zimbabwe, the DR of Congo and Somalia.

I'm off to China with a group of students who are also raising money for the charity. Whilst in Beijing we wil visit one of the orphanages to see how your money is helping, and i'll let everyone know via Facebook.

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.

So please dig deep and donate now.