Ciao,

Through a series of slightly unexpected circumstances, I have a place at this year's London Marathon. Despite having spent many years extolling the virtues of not running marathons and indeed deriding my own desire to do one, this is too good an opportunity to turn down.

If I am to complete the Pheidippidean struggle, then there may as well be some wider benefit. I will be raising funding for Crisis, a homeless charity. I've volunteered with Crisis at Christmas a few times in recent years and have seen their excellent work to help alleviate the UK's homelessness issue firsthand. Any and all donations would be very welcome and will inevitably make me less likely to quit at 20 miles in.

I have battled, succumbed to, triumphed over, and managed my own personal demons in the past and have found running to be a great booster to my mental and physical wellbeing. I will provide in-person (or virtual if preferred) hugs, love, and eternal gratitude for those of you who are able to donate or support in any way.

Your generosity and support is much appreciated as, in all honesty, I am quite terrified of this undertaking.

Thanks, and much love,

Cal x