I'll keep it brief - I've never run a marathon before and so this year I entered into the Manchester marathon and I'm also signed up for the Great Manchester Run the month following.

It seems a reasonable undertaking to be asking for charitable sponsorship for these feats; and of course as someone afflicted with diabetes, it seemed the obvious choice for a charity*. I' don't know what is standard for the 'target' so again, £500 seemed a reasonable amount to aim for.

There are a few stipulations which alone should be worth a donation:

> I'm not being sponsored by any employer for race entry so I've already in effect donated to the two event official charities;

> I've not started training yet and it's less than 4 weeks away;

> My next two weekends are booked with events whereby I am expected to drink and eat with wanton disregard to my health; and 

> I have a 7 hour drive to Cornwall on business immediately following the marathon [car + motorway + 7 hours + excruciating cramp = worst day ever].

* - Some people say diabetes research is over-subscribed but I still have the condition, and there is no viable cure so as far as I’m concerned, there is still room for improvement.