Hi everybody - yes it's that time of year again; Lucy wants your money! As you know, I did the Great North Run last year in aid of Traidcraft (I raised about £300 and crossed the finish line - in tears of exhaustion - in 3 hours). Well, this year I want things to be bigger and better: my fundraising target is bigger (£600 - please help me get there!) and my time is going to be better (keep everything crossed for 2 hrs 30).

Please support me by donating money to a very worthy cause.  I don't mean to sound too demanding (but would I sound like me if I wasn't?!), but if everyone I know (excluding students and those out of work/suffering financial ruin) gave a tenner (and those more generous souls, please feel free to give more) then we could hit my sponsorship target with no problems, and maybe even break it.

Traidcraft work very hard overseas, fighting poverty through trade, helping people in developing countries to transform their lives. They don't just give handouts - one of the things I love about this organisation is that they set up FAIR trading programmes, encouraging people to use their skills to work for themselves to earn a decent wage. They're fighting for trade justice and I think all of us in the 'developed' world could and should give them a few quid towards their mission.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Traidcraft Exchange 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.

What are you waiting for?? GET SPONSORING!!

***** UPDATE *****

read this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7615694.stm - i am risking MY LIFE for this run - please sponsor appropriately! (seriously, about 4 people died doing it in 2005)