In all honesty, I haven't maintained any level of fitness during my adult life. Call it a mid-life crisis or a sudden moment of clarity, but I suddenly decided to set myself a tough (but assailable) physical challenge for 2014. So I signed up for the London Marathon - without thinking too hard about it - otherwise I'd probably have thought again.

The choice of the Children's Society as a cause was much easier. I'd worked there doing legal admin after I qualified as a solicitor before our first son was born. It left a lasting impression. Not just the amazing work it does with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised young people, but also the very tight elastic between the projects and their funding. 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Your donation will be a massive motivator for me, when otherwise I would only have my mantra "Shut up, legs!" to keep me going ... (thank you, Jens Voigt).

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.