Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My name is Mike Winch, some know me by the name Raz/Ras others simply by Winch, I am in the Royal Navy!

At some point during my last deployment to the South Atlantic I read a book about endurance racing.

The book inspired me to start training for a marathon, initially as a way of getting into shape (despite being "Fighting Fit" being stuck on a ship is no help to fitness) and eventually quite a few people suggested that I also do it as a way of raising some money for a charity.

The marathon is the Great Welsh Marathon on the 10th of April, 2011 in Llanelli, Wales. If anyone is in Wales and wants to come watch I encourage that, but if you can't come out for the big event please consider giving some money to my chosen charity "Help for Heroes" which many of you may already be familiar with.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are leaving lasting physical and mental scars on an entire generation of young men and women and Help for Heroes is the lead charity in helping these returning servicemen and women.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Mike