The idea of running for between 4 and 5 hours feels ridiculous, because it is ridiculous… But, for reasons unknown to me - and likely of interest to many a therapist - I’ve always wanted to be able to say I’ve done it, at least once, while I’m on this Earth… Preferably too, this would be for a cause which actually *does* good, tangible, stuff every day, for people in my part of the world...

And so, here comes this year’s Yorkshire Marathon... And that York Neighbours - a charity I work for, and love working for - have entered 10 places has given me just enough drive to be brave enough to put my hand up, and start slappin' some tarmac...

Not enough people know about York Neighbours but, in short, their volunteer-led work provides much-needed “neighbourliness” for our city’s older people, in what feels like an increasingly atomised world, in the form of:

• Help with one-off odd jobs - the sort that are too small for a tradesperson or too niche to be covered by other services, but equally too tricky or awkward to do in old age or without friends or family to call on.

• Regular “keeping company” phone calls - giving those who can go days without speaking to anybody a good conversation, check-in, and chat about anything from what’s for tea, to the state of the nation, to their own life stories.

• Social outings - providing some of York’s most isolated older people the chance to escape their four walls, meet new people, see new places and make new memories.

They currently do this for over 550 older people in York, have over 60 volunteers, and a tiny part-time staff team over just over the equivalent of 2 full-timers.

The charity has huge potential to grow from helping hundreds, to thousands of older people, which (in an aging city like York) would genuinely help across our communities... But also - as seen with many charities - the funding uncertainty monster is never too far away… So I’m running for them.

I’ve no idea if I’ll finish this run.

As I write this, with less than 3 months to go, I know I can do a half-marathon at a push. Doubling that feels like a joke at this stage.

Also, after many years of playing bad football, badly, I also know that my knees and ankles are a bit iffy.

But, I’m a stubborn bugger - and I will craaawwwl and drag my body over that line if I have to...

If you like the type of cause, or that it's a local charity, or even just the idea of me putting myself through this, or a bit of all of those things, your donation(s) would be very much appreciated. Much love!