Hi all,

I'm doing the Paris half marathon on Sunday 2nd March 2008, and have decided that as well as it being a good chance to prove to myself that I can endure 2 hours or more of physical suffering and get a T-shirt at the end, I might as well take the opportunity to raise some money for a cause that I think is important.

My charity of choice is Refugee Action, an independent, non-religious national charity that provides help, support and practical advice for refugees and newly-arrived asylum seekers in the UK, many of whom flee to our country from war/poverty-stricken countries in the hope of leading a happy and peaceful life, yet meet with racism, abuse and harrassment when they arrive here.

In the hope that my ears will never again be subjected to the dreadful "they come over here and take our jobs..." crap, I'd like you all to take a look at Refugee Action's website, and if you'd like, to sponsor me to run 13 miles along the banks of the Seine in March on their behalf. 

The website is www.refugee-action.org.uk . To take a look at examples of individual cases, see http://www.refugee-action.org.uk/voices/default.aspx .

Thanks very much for taking the time to read this and hopefully sponsoring me (every little bit counts, if you can't spare much!). Otherwise, wish me luck...

Katy