Hi,

Somehow I seem to have signed up for the London Marathon again next year and am looking for your help.  All those cold mornings running along the river, and evenings running dark streets of Battersea, the torn calf muscle and 4 hr 17 of pain last year obviously seem to have slipped from my memory and I have decided to do it all again.

This year the charity that I am running for is Great Ormond Street Hospital.  I am sure all of you are aware of the great work that GOSH does for children in the capital and all over the country as a centre of excellence for childrens healthcare, heart and brain care and the largest children's centre for cancer in Europe, along with the research they do in combination with UCL. 

GOSH is struggling with outdated buildings and is undergoing a massive redevelopment of their clinical facilities and accommodation.  GOSH is a charity that is very important to Morgan Stanley and we are endeavouring to raise £10million towards the cost of a new clinical building that will open in 4 years, and one of the reasons I have decided to run this crazy distance again.

Their website gives more details of the work that is underway. http://www.gosh.org/redevelopment/why-we-need-to-redevelop/

I will be pounding the streets for the next 4 months to get fit for it, all I am asking from you is to dig deep and spare what you can to this great charity.  As well as your donation, GOSH receives 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, and then Morgan Stanley will match your contribution, so all the more incentive to help. 

Many thanks in advance for whatever you can give, and if any of you are out on the streets of London on the morning of the marathon, keep an eye out for me and please shout loudly.  (Any donations of jelly babies on the day will also be greatfully accepted!)

Simon