I've turned 40 this year - and I am trying to achieve a few life dreams on foot before my body tells me to stop. I chose a symbolic target of 4000km to link it to my age. I have been however advised that 40 is the new 30, so if I only manage 3000km, hopefully that will count as a success?

Some of my big running dreams included doing the Bob Graham Round, run up Ben Nevis, run up Snowdon and other big hills, and in the process stop being scared of (easy for normal people) scrambling and running downhill.

I was originally going to get on with my personal challenge and just have fun with my spreadsheet recording my mileage and be my usual loner self by not sharing with anyone what I'm up to. It seemed a missed opportunity to not try and support Befrienders Highland in the process.

As you will know or guess, the Highlands is a rather remote region. It is its biggest appeal, but also biggest challenge for people who need the contact of others to help them go through mental ill health or other situations that are greatly helped by simply having regular contact with someone. They are a very small charity that needs all the support possible financially and through volunteering as a befriender.