So, it looks like I'm going to have to run the London Marathon this year!  After wimping out with a knee injury last year, I've got myself stuck back together with sellotape and bits of string and I'm raring to go.

As a result, I'd like to raise as much money as possible for a very worthy cause.

Alzheimer's Society is the 's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and those who care for them.  There are 700,000 people with dementia in the with numbers set to rise to one million by 2025.

Alzheimer's Society's fight for a better world for people with all types of dementia takes a wide range of forms. Through its network of local services, they touch the lives of over 30,000 people every week, providing practical services and support for people with dementia and their carers. Every year, more than a million people make use of the information they provide.

Through campaigning and lobbying they strive to influence government policies and raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with dementia and the people who care for them. And through their research programme they work to improve the knowledge that they have about dementia and its treatment - and pursuing the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

On a personal note, my Grandad, Jack Field suffered with Alzheimer's for many years before it eventually led to his death last year.  It was very difficult for my entire family to witness what this disease was doing to him and how it was progressively taking him away from us.  The hardest hit by this was my Nan, June Field (aka Pat), who cared for Grandad through the early stages of the disease and when he went into a care home she still travelled many miles to spend time with him every day.  received lots of support from Alzheimer's Society and was always championing their cause.  Sadly Nan also passed away, unexpectedly, last year and therefore it seems fitting for me to raise money for a cause that meant so much to her.

Please donate what you can; it will be really appreciated by Alzheimer's Society and all of those who they help.  As an added bonus, the wonderful people that I work for, Johnson Matthey Plc have recognised the good work that Alzheimer's Society do and as such have nominated them as their charity of the year.  What this means to you, as a kind and generous donor, is that whatever you donate, Johnson Matthey Plc will match.

Finally, for those worried about my injury history.  Thanks for your concern, but I am strong and fit now.  I've completed my last long run (21 miles) before the marathon itself, without incident and am now into the taper period.  Which basically means that I can do less running but more eating!  So I will take part in and complete this year's Virgin London Marathon.  Look out for me on the TV!