Perky Coach Bennet from the Nike running app tells me daily that 'everyone is a runner' - so far I am not convinced, but hope to give a good impression of one in the Royal Parks half marathon on 9th October.  I spend a lot of time, as many people do, fretting about the future of our beautiful planet, and about the impact we are having on our natural world.  So I'm getting off the sofa more than I would like to, lacing up my trainers and sweating my way to the top of Hampstead Heath to train for a race in which I will be supporting Friends of the Earth- an organisation that has spent over 40 years protecting this planet.  I am giving it my all, and pretty proud of how far I have got in the training so far.  

I met one of the CEO's of Friends of the Earth recently, and it struck me how much mental adversity they all encounter in their work, and how much our support must be appreciated and valued by them.  They rely on public support to continue their work- financially and emotionally.  They have worked towards and won new laws to protect our water, wildlife, landscapes, climate and health. This year they fought for and won a judicial review into the government's Net Zero Strategy on the basis that it doesn’t comply with the Climate Change Act of 2008, which they helped create.  It's this kind of scrutiny that will enable real change, this kind of energy that will take us forward, not back.  As Friends of the Earth put it- in order to face the challenges ahead, there needs to be a more positive relationship between people and the environment.  Together, our voice is louder, our actions more significant, our impact greater. Together, we will change the world for good, for everyone.  

To this end, any donation, however small, however enormous, will spur me on. It's only half a marathon, but it sure feels full to me.  And if you can't give at the moment, do hold Friends of the Earth in mind when considering future donations.  We're in this together.  Thank you, and lots of love.