I'm running a 1/2 marathon in Manchester on 13th October and I'm also doing a 10 mile run round York on 20th October.  

Some of you will know that I am really passionate about animal conservation and in particular the work that goes on to save and projects orangutans and other creatures in Indonesian Borneo.  I've had the privilege of volunteering for the Orangutan Foundation twice now.  I'll never forget seeing my first orangutan in the forest; the loss of habitat, and life, to palm oil is hard to comprehend when you see these amazing creatures.  Last year I visited the nursery when orphan babies orangutans are looked after and taught how to survive with the hope they will be released.  I was fantastic to see the babies however they just shouldn't have been there and that's down to humans.  

I've seen the work that the Orangutan Foundation carries out and I've just adopted yet another orangutan (that's several over the years!).  They are critically endangered and the work of the Foundation is so important to try and help these creatures survive.  I took the picture above last year.  This baby was just super cute and a little naughty - his Mum kept telling him off - they might as well have been human.

So, I don't mind doing the running if you don't mind supporting me by donating something, no matter how small - I need all the help I can get as I'm older and bigger than I was when I did my last 1/2 marathon and feeling it!  If donating isn't for you then just think about me running and keep your fingers crossed that I don't get as wet as I did last year running the Yorkshire 10 miles - it was horrible!