For fitness reasons I decided, a couple of months ago, to run the Birmingham Half Marathon. 

This may seem surprising as when I started training just a couple of months ago, I was the wrong side of 14 stone and had not completed any serious exercise for over ten years!

However, having set my stall out to run the event on October 24th, it was only right to select a decent cause to run it for.

As I run a business that insures lots of charities, I asked the team to draw up some likely causes they felt I might like to run for.

I choose the Thomas Ball Childrens Charity Fund.  I would encourage to visit the site to read the incredibly moving and inspirational background; I shall try and do it justice in a few words to encourage your genorosity.

This small charity was set up by Thomas Ball in 1999.  Thomas was 9 years old and diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  This serious disease is a cancer effecting nerve cells.  You can read more about it here.

Thomas's reation to being so poorly was extraordinary.  He set up a charity and began fundraising with some gusto.  His drive enabled the opening of a holiday home in 2001 which his charity used to support children with cancer, offering them and their families holidays.  Thomas led an inspirational life which had an inevitable tragic  

Thomas died in 2003 surrounded by his family; having started a succesful charity in his name, that would help many other sick children. 

Today, the small charity manages two holiday chalets as well as providing other support services including holiday trips to Euro Disney and the supply of medical equipment.  They need tens of thousands a year to do this.

I hope you take some time to visit the site and read his story. 

I promise that as I drag my substantial frame around the good streets of Birmingham, I shall earn every penny.

You can follow the preparation here.