Okay, so I'm doing this as a 60th birthday present to myself, but I also want to raise funds for an MS charity - MS-UK. They offer services that other MS charities do not. They receive NO government funding and NO funding from pharmaceutical companies, MS-UK is totally independent.

Why MS?  I know three people in varying stages of MS, and others I know less well.  One of those, who many of you will know and who has agreed to my shamelessly using his name to raise as much as I can - and who in fact suggested MS-UK as my charity - is Jim Sweeney. I've known Jim for four years, many have known him for much longer, I am a newbie friend. Jim has given me time, prosecco, laughter, optimism, bourbon, a knowledge in music and film, he is the best story teller I know, he laughs at my very bad jokes and he NEVER complains about his lot. He is an astonishing man with an equally astonishing family.  He's one of the best gifts I have received in the past four years. So I am running for Jim and for the other two friends - you know who you are, but I haven't asked permission to use your names - and for all those who need immediate, day to day care, resources and help, which MS-UK provides. None of the donations go towards my race fee or travel/accommodation, everything you donate goes directly to MS-UK. I will do my best to complete the race without repeating every road sign in cod French, and not drink any alcohol en route, not fall into the Seine and not stop to scoff croissants...all I ask for is your support and donations to help those who need immediate attention from a devastating and debilitating disease for which there is, as yet, no cure.  Thanks so much.

And now - MS-UK

MS-UK was established in 1993, and is a national charity dedicated to empowering people with multiple sclerosis to make the most of today, and live life to the full.MS-UK put people affected by MS at the heart of the work that they do. They provide high quality, professional services to support people living with multiple sclerosis, and they listen to people affected by MS.