You may be saying - oh god - not him again asking for money! But please take a minute to read about what I am up to this time.

On 4th November, I am running the Athens historic marathon.  It is my first marathon and an enormous test of endurance for me. I have been in training for the last months and have had to overcome leg injuries but am determined to make it to the start line in good nick and over the finish line as well (although probably in not such good condition!). I am running it with my good friend Mal and his family. As a Classicist, this marathon is special. It retraces the route of the armed hoplite in the 5th century BC who ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the Athenians' victory against the invading Persians, and it is from this run that the marathon event came into being. It is the same route that was used in the first ever modern Olympic games in Athens in 1896 and again in 2004. Yes, thats right, its the one Paula Radcliffe couldn't finish. Gulp.

Why am I running? This time, its personal. As many of your know, my mother suffered a stroke just under 2 years ago. Being by her side through her time in hospital and during her recuperation, I had my eyes openned to the desperate state of stroke care in the UK. My mother was "lucky" - she ended up in a hospital with a dedicated stroke unit - but few hospital have them. Most patients end up in a general ward and dont get the speed or type of care they need. During recovery, the NHS is only able to provide limited amounts of physiotherapy and the burden falls on friends and family. It is a difficult time - especially when you have to learn how to help someone from scratch and when your loved ones are not able sometimes to thank you or even communicate with you. The Stroke Association works hard to help both people who have had stokes get back their lives but also to help their families who care for and support them. Many of us will have strokes in our lives. It is time that we all did something to ensure that the care and information is there for those who need it.

Please give generously and think of me as I am pounding the Athenian hills towards the finish line. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Stroke Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.