On November 27th next I will be, as the title suggests, running continuously forward for a number of hours until I've reached 26 miles and 385 yards. I will be, as it's known in the business, running a marathon. In Florence of all places. 

 

I first limbering up by doing Run To The Beat, a half-marathon around London's Docklands on September 25th. I was hoping I wouldn't die in a wheezing, sweaty mess (I got it 33% right anyway),  and so I will hopefully be all set to not die moving forward lots in Florence in a little under 2 months time.

 

It would be amazing if you fancied donating some of your undoubtedly hard-earned to SANE, the mental health charity I've decided to run for. (the 'Serious Part' coming up...)

 

One in four people experience a mental health problem in the course of a year but many more people; family, friends, carers and colleagues, for instance, are also directly affected. SANE works to provide care and support services: operating the only national, out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems, and running an online discussion board, an email support service, and a caller care service.

 

They also dedicate time and resources to carrying out rigorous research into the causes, nature and impact of mental health problems, campaigning to raise awareness and combat stigma about mental illness, and to educating and campaigning to improve mental health service.  

 

Basically, they do great work in an area all too often overlooked, under-funded or stigmatised and deserve all the support they can get.  

 

The easiest way to donate is through this page on, appropriately enough, the 'Donate Now' button. Helpfully, a JustGiving page is the best way for me to try and raise money as the money goes straight to SANE and I therefore won't be tempted to just spend it on Guinness and delicious Transform-A-Snacks. 

 

Thanks so much, your donations are much, much appreciated. 

 

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