I've never run this distance in my life.

I tried to do a half marathon in 2008, but had to stop and walk before the end, because of an injured knee. So, I've had to train quite a bit to be ready for this run. Many blisters, bruises and scabs later, I'm just about ready for the run on Saturday 15 March, and hoping to do it in under 2 hours.

So, why am I doing it?

We hear lots in the news about the housing crisis in Britain, and it is as acute in Oxford as anywhere in the country. Edge Housing, a project being run out of Oxfordshire Community Churches, is doing something about it.

Edge began in 2012 with two homes for vulnerable people, including former prisoners, and works with Equip, a community-interest company that provides a route into paid work for the same people. Together, they are enabling people to get stand on their own two feet.

Edge Housing receives income from its tenants' housing support, but that has not been enough to cover the direct costs of maintaining safe and supportive homes.

Please give generously to this good cause!

(NB: In case you're wondering... JustGiving will pass money to Oxfordshire Community Churches general account, but I have set up a system to ensure that all such funds make their way to the Edge Housing project.)