I was telling a friend how excited I was to run the London Marathon in just a few days, and she said, "wow, who are you runninng for?". I responded, "oh just for fun."

If you have spoken to me in the last 6 years, you know how much I love runninng, but I could not shake off the feeling that running one of the UK's biggest fundraisers "just for fun" seemed wrong.

Who though, should I support? As I prayed and looked on the charities registered here on JustGiving, Elam Ministries stood out.

Few things can create suffering on the scale that war can, so I am desperately heartbroken by the crisis in Iran that has been building over the past few months. Every time I watch the news, more people have been displaced, permanently injured, or even simply blown to pieces. It's horrific, and yet for many of us the biggest impact it has is on our fuel prices. There is something you can do.

As I run on Sunday 26th of April, aiming to run this distance faster than I ever have before, please join me in showing love and support for the people of Iran by donating to Elam Ministries.

Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Blessings and love,

James