Almost two years ago, I made a commitment to undertake a new physical challenge that would push me further than I've been before. Rather than look for a big event, which I'd need to fly to, I thought a better option given the care we should take of our planet was to find something much closer to home. I found an obscure mountain marathon in Wales, where I live, which would challenge me to run further (27 miles) and with more vertical gain (about 1 mile) than I ever have before.

Originally this was to take place in April 2020 but with Covid, despite the small number of people entering (only 100 have signed up), it kept on getting postponed - usually with about 2-4 weeks to go. As a result, I have been training for this event for almost two years each time getting ready and each time having to readjust.

However, there's no getting out of it now. It's finally taking place and now I have to face up to 5-6 hours of serious energy expenditure and body punishment in the hills of Wales. I must admit to being a bit apprehensive. While my training runs have reached 19 miles, the last 8 here will be unknown territory and to be honest, understanding that by completing this event, I will have raised some money for charity and that there are some people cheering me on will help give me the strength I need to complete the job.

As for the cause, it's for an organization I've known for over 10 years now that does great work with children and their families that live in a really challenging conditions in Eastern Uganda. Their work is excellent but has been impacted really badly by Covid both through the impact of the disease and through the impact of lockdowns and curfews on school attendance.

If you would like to use my sillyness as an excuse to make a donation to a cause where the money really will make a difference, I'd be incredibly grateful.

Child of Hope makes huge social impact for slum children and their families from its schools in Eastern Uganda – by providing free education, healthcare, welfare, food and clothing to kids from the poorest and most vulnerable families. Even setting up mums in their own start-up business.It takes place in the Namatala slum near Mbale, where survivors from years of strife in the north struggle to make ends meet. Up to 30,000 live there, around half of which are school age. But poverty prevents most of them going to school.

Thanks - Matthew