Yes what you have read is true, I needed a new challenge and I know that I am not getting any younger therefore.............on the 25th April 2010 I will be attempting to run the London Marathon! I will be crossing that finish line!

Not only this but I am raising money for a great cause. I will be running for the NSPCC

The NSPCC exists to end cruelty to children. I am sure that everyone wants to see a society where all children are loved, valued and able to fulfil their potential. To do this, the NSPCC has four objectives, which are:

• To mobilise everyone to take action to end child cruelty.
• To give children the help, support and environment they need to stay safe from cruelty.
• To find ways of working with communities to keep children safe from cruelty.
• To be, and be seen as, someone to turn to for children and young people.

• Every ten days in England and Wales one child is killed at the hands of their parent. In half (52 per cent) of all cases of children killed at the hands of another person, the parent is the principal suspect.
   
• More than one third (36 per cent) of all rapes recorded by the police are committed against children under 16 years of age.
  
• Three-quarters (of 2869) of sexually abused children did not tell anyone about the abuse at the time. 27 per cent told someone later. Around a third (of 2869) still had not told anyone about their experience(s) by early adulthood.
• A quarter (of 2869) of children experienced one or more forms of physical violence during childhood. This includes being hit with an implement, being hit with a fist or kicked, shaken, thrown or knocked down, beaten up, choked, burned or scalded on purpose, or threatened with a knife or gun. Of this 25 per cent of children, the majority had experienced 'some degree of physical abuse' by parents or carers.
• Almost two thirds of children killed at the hands of another person in England and Wales are aged under five - This includes cases that we all know about in the news like Baby P and Jamie Bulger.
• The National Commission of Inquiry into the Prevention of Child Abuse estimated that the cost of child abuse to statutory and voluntary agencies is £1 billion per year in the UK. Most of this is spent dealing with the consequences of abuse rather than its prevention. The total cost of abuse far exceeds this estimate. Individuals and families bear most of the consequences, sometimes for the rest of their lives at an incalculable cost.
  
• For every £1 the NSPCC spends, 83p goes on activities to end cruelty to children.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: NSPCC will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Not all children out there have been as lucky like you and I when we grew up so please think about this when you dig deep into your pockets to sponsor me online. I have a huge target to reach and by reaching this target as a minimum you will be helping hundreds of children to secure a better life.