It has been a tough year for Evie's little environmental charity Earth in Common and for Leith Community Croft. But with some great positives as well. The croft has relied on revenue from the cafe and funding for individual projects. We are working hard to get some ongoing core funding. So in the meantime we have devised a whole series of fund-raising events for the end of January to help ensure a secure future for this happy place ahead of the cafe reopening after the winter shut-down.

The emphasis is on "endurance" - just keeping going, including the Croftathon. It is our spin on the concepct of a Backyard Ultra - just keep running, hour after hour, for Leith Croft, for the community, for the environement.

I am 68 now and have not run more than 10 kms in months, because so much of our time and energy has gone into Earth in Common. But I am determined to do my very best and do as many laps of the Croft and Leith Links West as I can, 5 kms an hour, from 9 am to 9 pm on January 25. Come and join me, sponsor me or donate. And please share this post and link and spread the word as far as possible...