Oh, hello there.

How are you? And the kids? Did Jonathan get that part in the school play? Fantastic.

The photograph you see on the left is of a fat, sweaty, bedraggled, disorientated, confused chap who, not only has been pumped with glucose, is grasping a bottle of powdered liquid while sporting matching blue sweatbands and a horrifically figure-hugging pink vest that's doused in handfuls of vaseline. 

Now many of you will deduce this could be any one of a thousand photo's taken of me coming out of Ritzy's in Croydon on a Friday night. Thank you for that (and you wouldn't be far wrong).

It's actually me after completing the 2007 London Marathon....no really....  honest.... there's no clever punchline here....  and, as you've probably guessed what with this whole sponsorship gubbins page you've clicked onto, I will also be running this years Marathon.

Now before you start running for the hills and saying 'why the dickens should I cough up my hard earned cash for Budge when I have done so numerous times before?', the simple fact is that the money is not for me. Anything you wish to donate goes directly to Hope For Children which, for those that don't know, is a fantastic charity for kids in the UK and overseas. It is an amazing charity that doesn't need an uneducated person like me to give you a thorough explanation of what it does or who it reaches.

The reason for getting involved with Hope for Children is that it was the favourite charity of my dear friend James Skeens who tragically passed away in January 2009 so, in his memory, I'm getting lubed up again and dragging my moobs around 26.2 miles of London. He'll be up there laughing his **** off. For those of you who came to 'BUDGESTOCK' in September 2009, you'll be aware of James and his story. That night, we raised just over a thousand pounds for for James's wife Jeanette and their 2 year old son, Ollie. The 2nd photo is of Ollie receiving the medal and vest I wore at last years London marathon which was run in honour of his Dad.

I would urge you to please (and I know you've probably been inundated with people you know recently asking you to donate your money) to give whatever you can to help these kids. If you want any more information about Hope and what they do, their website is enclosed; every pound you donate helps a child. It really is that simple.

Me running 26.2 miles is a small sacrifice in comparison.

I have sacrificed all manner of dietary neccessities for this; no longer will I be able to enjoy the football with a pint of Guinness and a pack of delicious Haribo Sour Mix. I haven't had a Turkey Twizzler in months; that's progress people!

On the day (and if the weather is as good as last year... the second hottest marathon on record! Cor! Blimey! What a scorcher!) come down, bring a few sherbets and soak up the atmosphere. It's a fantastic day out. I will also be running with my fine chums Conan Jal and young Anthony Mullan.

As said, if there's anything you can do you would be helping kids who really, really need and deserve your support. Cheers all and hopefully see you on the day if you're coming out to support.

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 http://www.hope-for-children.org/