If you knew me pre-pandemic, you would know that it was an unlikely event to see me run, let alone running for enjoyment. Since then, kick started by the couch to 5k to escape confinement during the first lockdown, I am taking on the London Marathon (attempt 2 after a wee injury last year).

I am lucky enough to have been granted a place to run the marathon for the National Autistic Society, a charity close to my family's heart. I will be especially running for my nephew Henry who was diagnosed with autism last year . The charity helps the 700,000 autistic people in the UK and their families. Be it running specialist schools, campaigning for improved rights or training companies on being more autism-friendly, they are dedicated to transforming lives and changing attitudes.

It feels very surreal to me to take on this challenge, especially after 30+ years of a largely sloth-like existence.

Hope you are able and willing to help out by donating to a fantastic cause. Anything and everything will help me get over that finish line, and your generosity is greatly appreciated.

(And yes, that is a picture of me the first time I ran >100m in March 2020)