I ran the inaugural Brighton Marathon 3 years ago in a state of heightened fitness. This year I am content to run it in a state.

The sole reason for trudging through another 26 miles is to raise funds for the Trevor Mann Baby Unit in the Royal Sussex Hospital via their supporting charity Rockinghorse. The unit does fantastic work caring for babies who are born early and require care and support. It takes infants from Sussex and further afield in the south east.

My own twins were born a few weeks early and were in the unit for 2 weeks. Some babies and parents are in there for much longer. The 24 hour care provided by the unit is tremendous both in terms of medical and emotional support. Rockinghorse donations will go towards funding a variety of requirements from major medical equipment to clothes for newborns. The latter is all too important if, like me, you come to the unit ready to dress your new arrival in the size equivalent of a circus tent.

It's a great cause and one that is close to my heart so if you can make a small donation it would be much appreciated.