If you know me, you'll know that I've run the Oxford Half Marathon before, but not since pre-pandemic times when the world was a different place. During the various lockdowns, I managed somehow to put on around 10kgs ('Wine O'Clock' getting progressively earlier in the day as the months went on probably didn't help...) and I've also suffered since June 2022 with metatarsalgia in first my right, then my left foot making it feel like I was running with a pebble in my shoe. It's only been since May this year that I've properly been able to get back into running again.

So there is some genuine jeopardy involved - it's possible that the injury could flare up again and rule me out, though I have my fingers crossed all will be good. I would have my toes crossed as well, but that doesn't make running any more comfortable. But the main reason I'm running this year is Home-Start and the great work that the team do there, and that's why I'm asking for your support. For those who aren't familiar with it, Home-Start Oxford is a charity that provides free, confidential support for families with at least one child under the age of 5 through individual one-to-one support and through it's parent and toddler groups. It helps ordinary people who are going through extraordinary times.

They help families through challenges that include mental health issues, illness, disability, autism, multiple births, relationship stress, refugeehood, social and rural isolation, domestic abuse, addiction, debt, trauma and poverty.

With Covid and now the cost of living crisis Home-Start Oxford's services have never been more in demand and that means more fundraising is needed.

In a nutshell - and assuming no recurrence of injuries - this is why I'm running the Oxford Half!

Please help me raise as much money as possible for this great charity.