Hello! And thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

On September 21st I will be running, hobbling and probably crawling 26.2 miles around the New Forest in a bid to raise as much cash as possible for the Stephanie Marks Appeal - a charity raising awareness of diabetes and funds for a specialist centre at Ashford & St Peter's, my local hospital.

Stephanie Marks was a 17-year-old with Type-1 diabetes who died of complications from the condition in 2002. The appeal was set up in her memory and since then it has raised £600,000 for a treatment centre at the hospital. Construction started on September 4th but they need another £150k to complete the project.

Those who know me will know that my choosing this appeal is not completely altruistic: I too have Type-1 diabetes. This centre will support and provide specialist care for diabetics like me and provide education for the families of people living with diabetes.

The centre will help people like me live longer, fuller lives with less fear of going blind. It could even help save a few toes...

Donations of any size will be much appreciated. Anyone who wants to come down to New Milton on the 21st to watch me become the Jade Goody of the New Forest is very welcome but, please, no cameras.

Cheers, Rob.