I'm running the Leeds marathon on 14th May - it's my first and a particularly hilly number to boot - so am expecting a tough few hours pounding the streets of God's Country. 

I'm also taking the opportunity to leverage this misery to raise some money for Adoption UK, which is the leading charity for all those whose lives involve adoption, including adopted people, adopters and the professionals who support them. 

Adoption gives children a second chance of stability and permanence in their family lives. As an extended family, we have recently seen just how transformative it can be - as well as how challenging it is to support children to overcome trauma from their early years. 

Adoption UK connects people, provides support and training, and campaigns for improvements to policy and practice in order to unlock the potential for adoption to transform young people's lives. 

It's a great charity well set up to support a vital cause so please do donate what you can.