Pestering friends and relatives to sponsor me for the London Marathon used to be an annual event. In 2007 you all had a year off, so now it is time to pay big-style!

In one month I will be starting the Yak-attack, an 8 day, 200km stage race around the Annapurna Himalayas here in Nepal (http://yak-attack.co.uk). It follows an incredible route over the Thorong La (at 5400m, generally recognised as the highest pass in the world) and down through the Kali Gandaki valley with 8000m metre peaks looming either side. It is open to runners and mountain bikers - for some reason I have decided to run it...

It is going to hurt, but if I am raising money for a good cause, it will be worthwhile. Please help me to raise money for INF - particularly Greenpastures hospital, an incredible leprosy and rehabilitation centre here in Pokhara. It has just celebrated its 50th anniversary and has transformed so many lives in that time. Each of its 70 beds costs around GBP1,000 a year to run, and I would like to raise enough money for two - hopefully not too much to ask.

Thanks for reading, all the best

phil

ps. In case you are interested, all costs of the event are being met from personal funds - no money given through INF is being used, and all money raised will go to support INF's work.