Rowan's Hospice is a local charity near Portsmouth that provides specialist hospice care and support to patients, their relatives, and carers, with life-limiting illness. All care is given without charge. It costs circa GBP3M a year to run the hospice, and the vast majority of that money has to be raised through charitable means as the local NHS trust does not provide anywhere near that figure.

The hospice is important to me as it is where my father spent the final week of his life in early December last year. I cannot speak highly enough of the care, and dignity, that they afforded both my father, during his final few days, and my mother as she tried to come to terms with losing her partner of some 50 years.

Consequently, I am just trying to repay some of that kindness in the best way that I can by spending my birthday this year competing in the Abingdon Marathon. I'm aiming to finish in under 3 hours 30 minutes (my current PB for the distance is 3:43).

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy, totally secure, and efficient. The Rowans Hospice 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 if you can please sponsor me now. If you can't then no worries, just wish me luck ! Many thanks.