Please can I ask you to support me in raising funds for HOOPS 4 HOPE (through JDI London) with me running the 89 km (56miles) Comrades Ultra-Marathon on 31 May, 2015 in South Africa!!

HOOPS 4 HOPE are a tremendous organisation doing work I have huge admiration for – helping kids in the under-privileged and high density suburbs around Cape Town and Harare play sport and through sport learn life skills.

To see this in action, please have a look at their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/334185833352266/ - your donation helps keep these leagues and skills sessions going and growing.  If you have a few minutes there is a really good RedBullTV video that shows the real contribution the organisation makes in these communities here: http://www.redbull.tv/episodes/AP-1GUSYYAMW2111/hoops4hope#autostart.

The press-blurb will have you believe the Comrades marathon (http://www.comrades.com/) is the greatest ultra marathon in the world and this year there will be 22000 entrants. The race direction alternates each year between Pietermaritzburg and Durban and this year is an up run. The race was started in 1921 as a living memorial to the spirit and camaraderie of the soldiers of World War 1. In South Africa, the Comrades is hugely famous and well known, probably for the drama of the cut-off gun. In other words, at 1730 in the afternoon, a marshal stands with his back to the oncoming racers and fires a gun to signify the cut-off. TV always broadcasts the drama of some poor soul who has run the full distance in 12 hours but is a second or two too slow across the finishing line and their finisher’s medal.

Don't forget to tick the gift aid if you are a tax payer so the charities will gain the full amount from your donation.