This Autumn, I will be taking on the Royal Parks Half Marathon and raising funds for a vital cause. Thank you in advance for supporting my huge challenge and donating whatever you can, it will make a massive difference.

As my working career draws to a close, I was hoping to ask you all to consider a final favour for me. In your time knowing me, you will no doubt have reached the assessment that my body is built for short distances (trips to the fridge or to a bar), and not for anything remotely energetic. Nevertheless, I have been persuaded of the merits of doing something to raise money for a charity which is incredibly important to me.

In 2021 my nephew and godson, Sammy, one of the nicest, kindest kids you could possibly have the fortune to meet or to know, was in his first year at university and was doing brilliantly. That spring, at just 19 years of age, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a very rare form of soft tissue cancer. After a lengthy round of treatments, he was given the all-clear in the autumn but to the devastation of everyone, the cancer returned a short while later, and he was sadly lost to all those who knew and loved him in the November, aged just 20.

Many of you have already been incredibly generous and supported or donated to a myriad of fundraising events organised by his family and close friends since his passing. To-date, those phenomenal fundraising efforts have raised over £125,000. I therefore thought long and hard before deciding to again approach people who have already given much time and money to help raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, the chosen charity through which we honour Sammy’s memory. Donations are a thank you to those at the charity who provided so much support and comfort to Sammy, and who continue to provide support to his family and siblings and to others in a similar position as they battle with the pain and loss caused by this cruellest of diseases.

Since early 2025 I have been slowly building up my running activities with a view to completing the London Royal Parks Half Marathon which takes place on 12th October this year. Whilst my knees and delicate ankles are telling me otherwise, my training plan is on track with 2 long distance (for me) runs each week, and I’m currently up to 15km non-stop and the likelihood of successfully completing the 21.1km distance in now looking plausible. To manage expectations, I am not expecting any calls from the British Olympic Association any time soon, but I am committed to willing myself around the course on the day by whatever means is required and permitted (I’ve checked and unfortunately electric scooters and bikes are not deemed appropriate).

As mentioned earlier, I am very cognisant of the fact that many of the people I am appealing to here, have already given very generously, most recently to my wife’s London Marathon run in April for the same cause, and at a Charity Football match held on 27th July. There is therefore no obligation or expectation on my part that you should feel under any pressure to donate again, but any amount, no matter how small, would be hugely appreciated. Even if you decide not to donate, your best wishes, thoughts and encouragement in advance of, and on race day, would be a huge help and motivation as I plod around the course.

Thank you all sincerely for taking the time to read the above.

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