It was late in January when I received the call.  I had totally forgotten about visiting the Asthma UK web site to request a place in the London Marathon.  I think I must have done it at Christmas when I was feeling overfed and in need of exercise.  But there is a spot of healthy exercise …… and then there is a twenty-six mile marathon!

 It was a real shock, but I could hardly say no – after all, I had secured one of the last five places allocated to this charity.  And I have two very good reasons for wanting to run the London Marathon.

    The first reason is that both my sons, Peter and Andrew, suffer from asthma. And if you know anyone who has suffered from this condition, you will know how serious it can be.  Fortunately both my boys have received excellent care, and I have every reason to think that their asthma will continue to be well controlled.  However that’s not the case for many other asthma sufferers.  There are over five million people in the UK who have asthma, half of whom suffer from severe symptoms.  One person dies every seven hours from asthma in this country alone.  For many people the condition can be life-threatening, and I would like to help them to lead as normal a life as possible.

  The second reason is, of course, a lot more frivolous.  I can no longer plausibly deny that I am middle-aged.    There are wrinkles now, where wrinkles never used to be.  The world seems to have got faster, or perhaps I’ve slowed down.  But age does compensate for declining strength with an increase in stubbornness, and I plan to use this to my advantage.  I’ll finish the damn race because it’s there – then never ever do such a foolish thing again.

  Thank you for visiting this page.  Not only have I committed to an absolutely insane distance to run, but I’ve also set myself an ambitious fund raising target. So please dig deep and sponsor me for whatever you can.  It will provide vital assistance for people with asthma and motivate me to get out in the cold and train for the big event.

  Many thanks for your support, John