Hi everyone,

Ever since I was a young lad it has been my dream to run the London Marathon and thanks to the charity Downside-Fisher I have been give the opportunity to do just that and raise some money for a good cause at the same time.

So who are Downside-Fisher I hear you ask?

Well......In 1908 a group of OG Alumni together with Father Stephen Rawlinson a downside monk set up a boys club in Bermondsey, then an area of social exclusion where deprivation, poverty, illiteracy and disease were commonplace. In 1912 it joined forces with the Fisher Boxing Club and the combined club moved to their current premises in 1974.

Despite a glossy front on the Thames bankside the area remains one of the most deprived in the country with high levels of unemployment, drugs and crime and poor housing. The club gives young people in the area a place where they can learn social skills, be encouraged to seek a betterlife for themselves and the community, and a belief in themselves that they can succeed.....

The club has 5 members of staff of which only 1 is full time and the annual cost of keeping the club and its activities going is in the region of 250k!!!!

Most of you know that I was a little rogue myself and I can personally say that what the staff do here doesn't just make a difference now but also in years to come and I am grateful for the guidance I had...... it is the ultimate thankless task and the character and integrity of the staff is invaluable.

Please do not be concerned about the amount you wish to donate as every penny raise will simply encourage me to get to the finish line that little bit quicker.

I really appreciate all of your support and will see you at the FINISH line......

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.

Thank you, thanks you, thank you........ RUSS