In 2009 I have set myself a real challenge. On 26 April I run my 8th London Marathon (my 13th marathon overall). This one is very special as I will be running with my 21 year-old son Matthew, for whom it will be his first. We are both running for Build Africa.

Then on 24 May I compete in my first ultra-marathon, the "Comrades", between Pieter Maritzberg and Durban in South Africa (56 miles/89km). To get a qualifying time for this and so I can enjoy the London with Matt, I am also running the Duchy Marathon in Cornwall on 8th March. That's 108.4 competitive miles in 11 weeks, not including all the miles of training!

Why? you may ask (and I'll be asking that too somewhere along a dusty road in South Africa in May). Well, as ever, it's the same driving force: to raise money for children in sub-Saharan Africa who are so much worse off than us.

In these difficult times it's important to remember that, even in the Credit Crunch, we are very fortunate to live in a society where our children's homes, food, health and education are taken for granted. Not so in countries like Uganda and Kenya where Build Africa needs your support to provide these essentials to children and their dedicated teachers. As I am "going the extra mile" this year, please reflect that in your donation to Build Africa.

Thanks for your support,

Richard