It is time.  After years of talking, I'm finally committed to running the 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards for your old-schoolers) that is a marathon.  In Paris.  Because London is (i) always booked up, (ii) over familiar ground and (iii) on national television.

As most of you know, this will be my first attempt at running anything longer than the 6 miles home to avoid the rain after work.  I therefore need encouragement and convincing that it's not just about blisters, sore legs and burning lungs.  No.  Encouragement is best served through knowing that this will make a difference to a cause, however small.

Guide Dogs for the Blind is that cause.  As educators of Andrex puppies (and German shepherds too!), the charity has been working tirelessly (and entirely on voluntary donations) over the past 75 years to enable blind and partially-sighted people in the UK to remain as independent as possible.  This is achieved not only by raising, training and providing guide dogs, but also by supporting many in getting to grips with life's practicalities such as getting around the house safely on their own (for more information, feel free to browse www.guidedogs.org.uk).

I hope you agree that this is a worthwhile cause and that my misery (whatever worth financially to you) on a Sunday afternoon around the hopefully dry and not-too-cold streets of Paris is a suitable trade-off for a donation.

Le singe est dans l'arbre.  With thanks in advance,

Ed