<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">This is just a brief introduction to what I'm doing for the Countryside Alliance Foundation. &nbsp;Seven of us, from all parts of the UK, along with others from the USA will be running the London Marathon this April! &nbsp;We want to support the great work that they do to promote our countryside. Please read more on the Countryside Alliance Foundation website: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.countryside-alliance-foundation.org.uk/">http://www.countryside-alliance-foundation.org.uk/</a>.</span></span> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">I have put myself forward to run the London Marathon because the Foundation does so much to promote the countryside I love, and live in. &nbsp;Conservation, agriculture, and a sustainable rural economy are at the heart of their work and are incredibly important to me. &nbsp;These issues are also central to my degree at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester.</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">The Countryside Alliance Foundation (a registered charity), is a sister organisation to the Countryside Alliance, though with a slightly different agenda. &nbsp;The foundation (www.countryside-alliance-foundation.org) promotes the general interest of rural communities and educates the wider public in matters involving the countryside, and its conservation.</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">Meanwhile the Countryside Alliance works closely alongside to promote country persuits such as hunting shooting and fishing, in both government and the media. &nbsp;Since I am 1st Whipper-in to the RAC Beagles, it was impossible to pass up the chance to support the Countryside Alliance Foundation's great efforts in this way.</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">We have a massive fundraising target (to match the challenge of all completing the course) so can I thank you in advance for your generous support. &nbsp;Please also send a link to this page to any of your friends and family who might be interested to learn of the work of the Foundation and who may wish to contribute.</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">This is my first full marathon and I have a target time of 3hrs30mins. I think this is realistic because I've run some reasonable half-marathon times in the past, and my training has been going well. &nbsp;And as I plan to run in FULL hunting livery; if you&rsquo;re watching on TV, look out! &nbsp;</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">I hope this encourages you to donate generously to this well deserving cause!!</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">To follow me on twitter follow this link:&nbsp;</span><a href="http://twitter.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">@marathonrhys</span></span></a></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">Yours,</span></p> <p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f2f2f; font-family: &#39;Times New Roman&#39;; font-size: small;">Rhys Wilson</span></p> </p>