Running, reading and educating myself are such huge pleasures in my life. They’re massive privileges too, that not everyone has.

They allow me to be happy and healthy. I can afford to live in a safe and comfortable home. I get to lead a fulfilling personal and professional life.

How different would my life be if I couldn’t read?

- 1 in 5 people in the UK is “functionally illiterate” and couldn’t read a medicine bottle, food label or complete a job application (WLF)

- The cost of illiteracy to UK plc is over £80bn per annum (WLF)

- 1% increase in a country’s literacy rate correlates with a 3% higher GDP (UNESCO)

- Literacy correlates with longer life - e.g. an additional year of maternal education with a 2% lower infant mortality rate

- Literacy = lower crime (UN)

- Education correlates with lower gender inequality (UNESCO)

I’m committing to raise at least £1,000 for the World Literacy Foundation, starting with the Edinburgh marathon. I hope you’ll join me in my mission (literally, if you like….).