Earlier this year I decided to embark on some physical training to prepare for a future goal I have in mind. In preparation, my thoughts began with walking the South Downs Way which is on my doorstep. A beautiful jaunt along the rolling hills in the south of England between the medieval town of Winchester and the dramatic cliffs of Beachy Head and Eastbourne on the south coast.

At some undefined point in time, I somehow ended up deciding that running it was a better idea - I plead temporary insanity. Never having run more than 10 miles before committing to my training plan, 100+ miles was (and still is) a daunting prospect.

I am aiming to complete approximately 104 miles over 4 days, which amounts to 4 marathons, one each day.

It's a bumpy ride, up and down the Seven Sisters, past Ditchling Beacon (amongst many other beacons), Devils Dyke and many other beautiful spots which I'm expecting will be bathed in sunshine and with a cool breeze behind me! A total of more than 3800m of vertical climb by the end.

I am not aiming to complete the marathons in any given time and will be approaching the run as an endurance event, walking the steeper uphill sections but running as much as possible. My goal is to complete it by hook or by crook (but hopefully not by taxi...).

I would like to dedicate the run to my friend John Rolls who sadly succumbed to cancer earlier this year. A kind and beautiful man with an infectious smile and positivity and a strong connection to nature, and who I have often thought about on my training runs on the gorgeous trails I'm so lucky to live amongst, inspiring me to carry on when my legs had other ideas.

It is easy for an event like this to become a purely inward facing endeavour so I feel it's important to create an outward looking goal to become part of it. So I would like to take the opportunity to raise some money to support a fantastic charity.

Raise Your Hands purpose is to fundraise for a carefully selected group of 14 exceptional small charities working for the benefit of marginalised children and young people. Each of the charities they support operates in a different area, from HIV to bullying and hospices to prison rehab, all aiming to transform the lives of these young people in a lasting way.

They have a really clear and well put together website where you can find a lot more, easily accessible, information so please take a look if you have 5 minutes - Raise Your Hands

Any donations, small from your piggy bank or enormous from your offshore tax haven, will be well received but of course, no expectations and I will hopefully be engaged on the public speaking circuit with Boris and Barack once my feet/legs/body have mended if you'd like to hear how it went.

Wishing you all well.

Matt

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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.