Early September, my colleagues and I received the terrible news that Rob had died whilst hiking in northern Greece. Rob and I both started as new paralegals to the office in the summer and quickly bonded over a shared interest in the classical world and indeed over our experiences from the first few months on the job. In the all too short period I knew him, Rob proved to be a really genuine, thoughtful guy whose gangly exterior belied someone who always had an interesting anecdote to hand or different perspective to bring on any subject. 

On November 10th, I will be running the Athens Authentic Marathon in Rob's memory for Cruse Bereavement Care. Rob would doubtless have known that in 490BC a soldier named Pheidippides supposedly ran the 26 miles from the plain of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians. Today, the race following that exact route is dubbed "the most difficult major marathon race" and whilst no Eliud Kipchoge-style time will be recorded, I really hope to raise some money for such an important cause. 

Cruse, a charity that's run for 60 years, helps people at usually the most difficult, vulnerable period in their lives. Grief is of course an overwhelming, distressing emotion, but it is also one that affects everyone differently and donations are absolutely crucial for preparing Cruse's network of 5,000 volunteers to support those experiencing it in sometimes an incredibly complex set of circumstances. You can find out more in the link below, and yes, please, please donate - it would be hugely appreciated. Every pound, just like every mile, counts. Thanks to you all!  Hugo