I am delighted to be able to run the London Marathon as part of Team Donkey Sanctuary. I am originally from Lincoln, however my childhood holidays were spent every summer in South East Devon which always included a trip to The Donkey Sanctuary. My parents still holiday in the area and always pay a visit to the Sanctuary and sponsor a donkey.

Nowadays, I use running as a relief from long days of work, using it as an opportunity to switch off and disconnect.

The London Marathon will be my second full marathon and the 10 year anniversary of my first - in the time since I have run many other races up to half marathon distances. It was a welcome surprise to find The Donkey Sanctuary had a team in the London Marathon so it was the obvious choice to support the cause.

Through the power of a few facebook posts, fundraising has already begun in earnest. With the winter months still in between us and the start line, the focus is on maintaining the momentum until then.

2006 - James riding the plastic Donkey at The Donkey Sanctuary