Back in 2005 I did my first (and only to date) marathon in London. At the end I swore it would also be my last.....

21 years later, as part of my multiple ongoing midlife crises, I put my name into the ballot for the London Marathon. I wasn't expecting to get a spot but, rather, to bask in the reflected glory of saying I'd applied but didn't get a space. I think it's fairly clear what happened next…

Last Easter a close friend's son suffered a significant injury and the Matt Hampson Foundation is providing wonderful support. As such, I wanted to raise some funds for them - which will also make the 26.2 miles feel far more worthwhile.

The Matt Hampson centre doors were opened in 2018, and is the brainchild of founder and former England and Leicester Tigers rugby player Matt Hampson, who himself experienced a life-changing injury in 2005 leaving him paralysed from the neck down, aged just 20.

By becoming part of the community that Matt has created, beneficiaries of the Foundation are able to draw on the experience and knowledge of people who have been on the same journey. They develop the tools and skills they need to move on as they start to rebuild their lives.