I'm running the Virgin Londonn Marathon on April 21st 2013 for Phabkids and would really appreciate any donation, no matter how big or small, to this charity for whom I have volunteered in the past in order to help me reach my target pledge.

The main reason for doing the marathon is to emulate my father, who ran the marathon every year from its inception until his health deteriorated, often taking the place of reluctant corporate CEOs on race day if he didn't have a spot himself. He was a sub-3 hour runner, and I believe he even made history when, one morning in April 1990, he comandeered our Golden Retriever, Barnaby, and dragged him round the London course. On this occasion he was interviewed by Bob Wilson at various stages, firstly to check over the welfare of the poor dog and secondly because Barnaby was possibly (this is unverified!) the first dog to complete the London Marathon. It's safe to say that from that point onwards, the phrase 'walkies' petrified Barnaby and dogs were banned from the course soon after. Whilst I have neither been blessed with the same slender frame and botomless engine as my dad (replace with beachballesque physique and fitness levels of a surly tortoise), nor plan to take our labrador Dilys with me this year, completing the race will allow me to cross out a major item on my bucket list.

Now to the charity I am running for. Phabkids aims to promote and encourage people with and without physical disabilities to come together on equal terms, to achieve complete integration within the wider community and to make more of life together. They run clubs and residential holidays whereby children and young adults with disabilities integrate with able-bodied people of the same age (this happens less that you would think) which not only affords their families and carers a rare and much-needed week of respite, but more importantly gives them the opportunity to socialise  and learn with people of their own age and with the same interests.

Phab was a major part of my life in my mid to late teens as the charity worked very closely with my old school and offered numerous volunteering and fundraising opportunities. From the Phab Walk through to Phab revue, the charity was affiliated to some of the most fun and worthwhile events in the school calendar, and we took pride in raising as much as we could for the charity. I was lucky enough to take part in two residential holidays where I met new friends and learnt valuable life skills through the experiences I shared with other campers. I know that each and every person got a great deal out of these residential holidays through taking part in new activities and having the rare and unique opportunity of being in an environment surrounded by 30 people of the same age-group 24-7. Unfortunately these weeks, alongside the hundreds of Phab clubs nationwide, are impossible to fund unless Phab is able to raise a huge amount of money year upon year. So please give whatever you can; myself and Phab hugely appreciate whatever pledge you can afford to make.

Oh and my red face and irritated expression around the course will no doubt be a sight worth paying to see!