Thanks for reading this message. As you are aware, I’m running the London Marathon this year, on Sunday 13th April - God help me! I am lucky to have a place sponsored by the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, which is a favourite charity of mine.
The charity provides grants for young athletes. It is a local charity run by Jean Pickering; having met Jean on several occasions now, I am really impressed with its operation. The charity is effective and efficient. If you look at the website you can see a host of famous names it has already supported. In short, it is a worthwhile cause and one that is in the spirit of the marathon.
Why sponsor me? Well, apart from the good cause outlined above, you will have the pleasure of knowing about the pain I’ll be going through to struggle through 26.2 miles. Yes, I know, I have done the odd endurance event before, but that was a long time ago. Since those days I have become older, wiser, slower, balder... I am also a married man now, perhaps used to a cosier lifestyle, yet still possessing a fondness for a sherbert at the weekend (which doesn’t help the training, or the look of the belly in a running vest!).  And, of course, training for this event takes place when I am actually working, rather than during one of my well-deserved teaching holidays. That must surely add a few quid to your sponsorship!
Thanks again for your support. You are invited to heckle me at any point during the race. I’ll be in the Chandos pub, St Martins-on-the-Fields, after the race to buy you a drink…if my legs will take me to the bar.