<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p> <p>This will be my first full marathon and I am really pleased to be running it in support of Crohn's and Colitis UK (CCUK). My wife Fran has been an IBD Nurse for the past 9 years, working with and for people with Crohn's and Colitis. From what she has told me about the work of CCUK, both at a national level in striving for better care for all those with IBD - strategically and by supporting research - and at a local level through its members' groups, I believe that this is a very worthwhile cause. The local groups which Fran is involved with - Cambridgeshire &amp; West Suffolk and Norfolk - have been very supportive of both local people with IBD and of the hospital IBD teams.</p> <p>I have been in training for the marathon since October last year, and all is going well so far. My normal pattern of gym work and outdoor running has changed drastically, however, as I am currently teaching in a remote college in rural Tanzania until the end of March. My training consists of running in between (or through!) the rains (dodging the snakes?!) and doing press-ups and other exercises on my verandah! Some of my students have been running with me but much to their shame they struggle to keep up - and I often have a group of excited children running for short distances with me. I am now known as 'Mark the mad mzungu!'</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to CCUK and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>