Thanks very much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am going to be running the London Marathon in April 2012 and I'm hoping to raise money for a couple of causes. The first cause is Aims2Cure a charity dedicated to raising money for research into Multiple Sclerosis. The Aims2Cure committee work really hard to fund the salaries for Research Scientists in the Department of Neuroinflammation at the Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London. They are an inspirational group of people and are deserving of support.

The second cause is not a conventional "good cause" but it is close to my heart. I've been watching Hendon Football Club for over 40 years and I'm currently the club Chairman. I'm hoping to raise money to help fund the formation of a proper youth section. Statistics show that people from low income families and ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely than others to fail at school and end up on the margins of society. The communities that are local to Hendon Football Club are areas of low income and house significant numbers of people from ethnic minority groups. A youth section would target young players from these communities to prevent them from becoming disengaged from society and falling into antisocial behaviour, by focusing their energy in a positive way within a supportive environment. Indeed the recent riots in London, perpetrated in some cases by people as young as 11, show the urgent need for a productive and focused activity for young people.

All money raised will be split equally between these two causes.

I'm very excited at the prospect of running the marathon. It's hard work but I know it will be worth it. It will be even better if I could help these two causes on the way so anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Simon