OK, so it’s not the marathon.    

On the other hand, I’ve never run 10 km in my life, I’m 56 years old, overweight and have a dodgy knee.  So it’s definitely still a challenge. 

Added to that, I hate running with other people and am allergic to Lycra.  My target is not only to finish the course but – even more stretching – to do so before the end of the Archers’ Omnibus.

I will also be running for a good cause – OPF’s Children First campaign.  There are around 3 million children in the UK being brought up primarily by one parent, that’s 1 in 4 families.  They’re twice as likely as other families to be living in poverty and this can have an impact on their health, their educational attainment and their chances in life generally.   

To help these children, OPF provides information and support for their parents through a national help and advice line plus publications and an internet service.  There are specialist helplines for parents bringing up a disabled child on their own (this is 25% more likely than for a couple) and for those facing violent behaviour or the threat of it.  OPF also provides training and support to help parents back into work.  Please have a look at our website for more details. 

I hope you will be able to sponsor me.  At least you know I’m not likely to be asking you very often!