On the 10th October 2010, 17 employees at Hays Financial Markets will be taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which takes us through most of London's Royal Parks and past most of its glorious landmarks.

This comes at a price, however, and means that we have to run a considerable distance of 13.2 miles (or 21km).

We have around 25 runners involved in this process and we've lost people through snapped achilles tendons, twisted ankles, slipped discs, realising they're not up to it or leaving the firm.

Of the final 17, most are nursing injuries varying from minor to serious. We'll be running with shinsplints, trapped nerves, bad knees and hips, coughs/colds, damaged backs and overwhelming sense of fear. Some of us will be running against the advice of doctors and face serious injury or even death.

Why are we doing this?

Action for Children helps the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK break through injustice, deprivation and inequality, so they can achieve their full potential. Through over 400 projects, they help 156,000 children, young people and their families every year.