WELCOME to Running Is A Mug's Game. During 2007, I will be running in 80 races across the British Isles to raise funds for the Hampshire Autistic Society - and so I need your support.

The challenge starts at 11.57pm on December 31st, 2006, for a 2km race in Milford, Derbyshire. Straight after that midnight run, I will be driving down to Cornwall to compete in the Brown Willy 6 on Bodmin Moor.

And that will set the tone for a year of racing all round the country - from big showpieces such as the Flora London Marathon and the Great North Run, to terrifying-sounding races such as The Grizzly and The Terminator, historic events such as the Blaydon Races and the Wenlock Olympic Games, unusual ones such as Beat the Baton and Cani-X (which involves racing with a dog!), to the downright silly, such as the Bananaman Run and 'hashing' through the Isle of Wight countryside at night with only the light of a full moon for guidance!

I will be running in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, as well as the Channel Islands - and the whole adventure finishes where it started, at Milford in Derbyshire on December 31st, 2007 at 11.57pm.

I am a journalist based in Southampton, and I will be writing a regular weekly column for the Southern Daily Echo, as well as a blog which can be found at www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/echoblog/mugsgame/ 

I will also be writing a book, and getting involved with radio and TV to promote the project.

The project is called Running Is A Mug's Game, simply because at most races you tend to be presented with a mug as memento, so I'm sure I will have a larder full come the end of 2007.

But above all, the project is about raising awareness of autism - my nine-year-old son Ross is severely autistic, and to raise money for the Hampshire Autistic Society.

A number of separate fund-raising events tied in with the project are being planned including a reception at the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth in May, a sportsman's dinner in November, an old-style school sports day and a five-mile cross country race in July and a Celebrity Question of Sport in October. You can find out more details about these events on the Hampshire Autistic Society's website which is www.has.org.uk/

The week before the London Marathon, I am planning to have a leg waxing, so it really will be a case of Wax & Go.

The project is being generously supported by the sportswear company Asics (I would never run with anything different), and by the airline Flybe (best from Southampton Airport by far).

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Hampshire Autistic Society 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.

So please sponsor me now - and if you want to get in touch, I would love to hear from you. My e-mail address is peekay63@aol.com

Many thanks for your support.

Dave King