THIS Sunday, 4,998 athletes will be lining up to take part in the Plymouth Half Marathon. Tailing on the end will be number 4999 - surprise! that's me!

With three days to go the time for training has been and gone but there's still time to try to sting my friends and family for some cash...

Watching telly the other night (well I had to take it easy after all that, er, training,) I was depressed by the news reports from China and Burma and the problems getting aid to the people who need it.

But I was less deflated by a subsequent report about Cornish charity Shelterbox managing to get aid through to both disaster areas.

Shelterbox www.shelterbox.org is a small but really effective charity which uses gritty determination to break down political barriers and get its unique boxes of aid - tents, water treatment etc - to the people who need it.

It would make me feel much better on Sunday if I thought I was tackling 13.1 miles of Plymouth's best hills for a good reason. 

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Shelterbox Trust Limited gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!