In 2021 I ran the Brighton marathon to raise money for Square Pegs Arts. It all went well but I told myself (and everyone else) that it was a one off.

But in 2023 I felt compelled to have another go, this time doing 100km over 8 different events in 4 weeks which included a second Brighton Marathon to raise some more money for Square Pegs Arts. That was definitely it though. My long distance days were done. I'd raised some funds for my favourite charity and I had two marathons ticked off on my bucket list.

I hate running; in fact, any sort of moving at all is not my forte to be honest, but the thing is, with each year that passes and the more cuts and funding that gets taken away by the government to make sure the top 1% have overly stocked bank accounts, the charity sector and the disabled communities are amongst those that are hit the hardest. The people that Square Pegs Arts work with need the opportunities more than ever, but the funding is getting increasingly hard to obtain.

And so, reluctantly, In light of the most recent announcements I decided I should probably retrieve my running shoes from the bin and put myself through some more nonsense in an attempt to help out just one more time.

And yes, I release that you're not going to just give me money to do the same thing again and that I'll need to up the challenge and so (and I can't believe I'm typing this) I'll be doing the KENT DOWNS ULTRA (which is 50k!!) in October.

Full disclosure here - I've already accepted that running the whole thing is extremely unlikely unless I drop some serious weight and train without stopping between now and then - But I pledge that I WILL finish the full 50 kilometres in one go, be it by walking, jogging, jeffing, being carried.... It'll get done!

But you do need to donate to the cause so it's worth it!

Please spare what you can so that the young people and adults that Square Pegs work with can continue to thrive and shine in an ever increasingly difficult world.

Thanks so much.

About Square Pegs:

"We provide opportunities for vulnerable, socially isolated people with learning disabilities and autism to be involved in high quality Arts based groups, projects and performances. This allows people to be engaged in purposeful activity where they can build friendships and feel a real sense of belonging. We use drama, music and creative based methods to build confidence and self-esteem, develop social communication skills and other transferable skills so that everyone can achieve and maintain positive wellbeing and be their best self."