Spread a Smile is a young charity dedicated to entertaining seriously ill children who are undergoing prolonged periods of treatment in hospital, including Great Ormond Street. 

Spread a Smile - www.spreadasmile.org and @spreadasmileuk - brings entertainers into the hospitals to lift the monotony and take their minds off their care regimes. If you're unconvinced of the benefits of this, just watch the video - in the gallery - of five year old Ava's impromptu song "I love fairies" to Pirate Kate and Fairy Jessica on Great Ormond Street's Badger Ward.

Spread a Smile also extends their work to the siblings of the hospitalised children, as they can be deeply affected by the illness affecting their brother or sister.

This is a great cause and one I want to continue supporting. So, on April 27 I'll be tackling Tough Mudder, a 12-or-so mile obstacle course, for the second time to raise funds for Spread a Smile.

I'm not sure whether it actually is "the toughest event on the planet", as it's billed, but Tough Mudder certainly lives up to its name, being both tough and muddy.

Last year's highlights included freezing in a trailer full of icy water, electrocution, barbed wire and crawling through mud, a LOT of mud. 

So why go through it again? Well, as I said, Spread a Smile is a great cause – so dig deep!

And if you’re wondering about the picture above, that’s one of my sons modelling (and laying claim to) last year’s finisher’s headband.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please donate now – your support is much appreciated!