Did you know that the Tsunami struck on the Boxing Day morning of the 2004 Banda Aceh Marathon?  It gives poignancy to what I’m doing in 2006.

I’m Chief Inspector Dave Parker, Force Training Manager for the Thames Valley Police, based at Sulhamstead near Reading.

Thanks for any support you or colleagues or family or friends can give to me in my second London Marathon.  Watch out for race number 4950.  No, I won’t be wearing helmet and boots – not even when we get to Buckingham Palace.  I’m aiming for a personal best – and to raise money for a very good cause I just happened to hear about.

Those of you who know me may be aware that in my (long) time I’ve done quite a lot of half marathons- and the London one last year.  But it’ll still mean hours of training agony ahead.  Lesley and my daughters Ellie and Leah know just how grumpy and late in I can get!

Why am I running for CAFOD?  Well, several things made me volunteer. One was being deeply moved by hearing of my colleague Gill Williams’ experiences following the Tsunami in Thailand last year.   Then I met Hugh Gibbons, a CAFOD Volunteer in Bracknell who went to Indonesia to see some of the recovery projects they funded.  And I feel very privileged compared to the people that they help.  All this made me want to do my bit for those in need this year.  It seemed to me that CAFOD can make a pound go a long way. 

So out of the blue I said I’d do the London Marathon for them.  I don’t know who was more surprised - Hugh or me.  Or L, E and H.  So I’ll be happily, well, not too grumpily, pounding the pavements for them.  And Hugh wil be organising support.

Many thanks for all your support, whatever you can manage.  I really do appreciate it.  And watch out for the big lad without the helmet and boots being waved at by the Queen.

All the best - I'll do mine.

Dave