Nine years ago I became the oldest person (at the time) to complete a solo Arch to Arc - an 87 mile run from Marble Arch to Dover, followed by a solo swim across the Channel and culminating in a 182 mile bike ride from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe.

Now, nine years older and with nine years more wear and tear (metal knees, bashed up rotator cuffs, nasal hair), I have been offered the opportunity to join a 6 person relay team who will attempt this massive event from London to Paris. We will work in a strict rotation of an hour each of running, swimming and cycling until we reach the Arc. It will be a huge test of willpower, sleep deprivation and physical endurance, and for my team mates, being stuck in a minibus with me for 80 to 100 hours. It is a challenge that makes me feel very nervous as I had put my endurance days firmly behind me.

As ever, I am raising money for my beloved Aspire, the spinal injury charity that helps people who have been paralysed move from injury to independence, and for whom I have worked for over a decade. It's a great charity that does amazing things for people and I can personally vouch for how precious every single penny you donate is to us.

I know I have asked before, and assuming I never have to put myself through anything like this again, this will be the final plea for your hard earned cash, but I would greatly value any support you can give.

Paul

xx