When I stumbled across the finish line of the 2005 London Marathon, knees cracking like a lion-tamer's whip, I shouted out the Marathoner's prayer "Dear Lord, NEVER *%$"£* AGAIN I SWEAR". Off came those oh-so-flattering lycra sprinter's shorts and with a last blue flash of static they vanished somewhere behind the washing basket.

So why do it again? Partly it is because the beloved Penny has taken a dim view of my devotion to my recently adopted hobby of eating cake while lying on the sofa watching the shopping channel. Partly, however, it is because I feel poked by God's reproachful finger of judgment into taking a day off from my day job calling people liars for money and devoting some attention to the things that really matter. One of those things is helping children afflicted by cancer.

I am running for CLIC Sargent who do astonishing work with families for whom their worst nightmares can sometimes seem to have come true.

Please sponsor me if you can. If you can't thank you anyway for visiting my site.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: CLIC Sargent will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.