Once every decade, I forget how painful it was…

Back in 2006, I ran the London Marathon following a bet with my best man. The deal was: we’d both do it. The reality? He bottled it, and I ended up pounding the streets of London solo for 26.2 miles, finishing in 4 hours 21 minutes. I crossed the line, swore “never again”… and promptly retired from marathon running.

Fast forward 10 years to 2016. Something (temporary insanity, probably) convinced me to lace up my trainers again. This time, a little older and supposedly wiser, I smashed it in 3 hours 44 minutes – not bad for someone a decade older, right?

And now… another 10 years have passed, and here we are in 2026. I’m in my 50s and need to keep up the sequence! So yes, I’m doing it again – the 2026 London Marathon – and it’s all for another cause that really matters.

I’ve been lucky to raise money for some fantastic charities in my previous marathons, but this year I’m focusing all my efforts on a cause that’s very close to home: North London Hospice. Over the past few years, I’ve got to know the incredible people there through organising charity hockey matches, and I’ve seen firsthand the outstanding support and care they provide for patients and families at the toughest times in their lives.

Every donation – big or small – will help the hospice continue its vital work, offering comfort, dignity, and compassion when it’s needed most.

So, if you’ve ever:

Enjoyed a laugh at my expense when I said I’d never do this again,

Been inspired by someone who pushes themselves a little bit further than they should,

Or just want to support a fantastic local cause,

…please consider sponsoring me. I'm aiming to raise £5,000 and your support will help me through the tough winter training runs, knowing that the money raised will make an enormous difference to those in need.

And who knows – maybe I’ll still be at it in 2036 (though don’t quote me on that).

Thank you for your support – it genuinely means the world to me, and to everyone at North London Hospice.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.