In just under 3 weeks’ time, on 20 October, I will be running the Yorkshire Marathon in York with my brother.

I have ultimately decided to do this for the challenge, and also because I am a big idiot.

However, I will also be raising a few quid for charity whilst I do so.

According to the Trussell Trust, 14 million people in Britain live in poverty. I shouldn't really need to elaborate on how ludicrous that figure is. Just over one fifth of people in this country can barely afford to maintain an acceptable standard of living: perhaps struggling regularly to pay for utilities, rent, or even for food bills. Of course, living in poverty does not always equate exactly to complete destitution. But, inevitably, being trapped in poverty will lead to families living miserably, making agonising decisions about how best to manage their money.

I have therefore chosen to raise money for the Chalk Farm Food Bank, part of the Trussell Trust’s network.

It has helped over 7,000 people since it first opened in 2012. This is impressive considering that the food-bank is a very small operation, dependent on a team of volunteers and one part-time member of staff.

I would be grateful for any donation, little or large! Your money will help keep the food bank stocked with essential food items such as long-life milk, beans, vegetables, meat etc., as well as essential non-food items such as toiletries, nappies, household cleaning products. It will also go towards the food-bank’s operational costs – in particular, the rent costs which, in London, isn’t cheap (as you can imagine).

If you would like to learn more about the Chalk Farm Food Bank, then you can find their website here.

Finally, if you would like to follow my training progress, and are a Strava user, then you can follow my profile here.

Many thanks!

Jamie

*As explained on the food bank’s website, the foodbank is run in partnership with local churches, facilitated by Revelation Church - London. You may see reference to this through the JustGiving page.