A while ago, I decided I'd like to attempt to run my first half marathon, and had this crazy idea of entering my name into the ballot for this years Great North Run.

Having been running, a couple of times a week, up to 6 miles, I must have had a moment of madness, and wondered if I could actually make it to the finish, and having had a few running injuries, and liking a challenge, I decided to see what I could achieve......

I decided that if I was going to do this, I should try and do it for the benefit of one of the local charities, so have opted to raise some money for Leicester Animal Aid, as I've had personal experience of what they do, and what a great job they all do there, on a totally voluntary basis, and relying solely on public  donations.

Every year they care for over 400 dogs and cats, who are lost, abandoned, neglected or unwanted, or because their owners can no longer care for them. They provide care for up to 40 dogs and 30 cats at any one time, and each and every one receives food, veterinary care, and the individual attention that they need, right up until they are re homed.

Each animal that they take in is assessed by their experienced team, and their goal is to ensure that every one of them is found a suitable and loving home, no matter how long that it takes. They then provide on going guidance, and practical help to both new, and existing pet owners, so when someone offer one of their animals a home, they can rely on them for months and every year afterwards.