I'm going to be getting muddy for the Prince's Trust. I've been coerced into doing Tough Mudder (by the indomitable Vicky Ogden) in October and am hoping for your support.

Ascential - the parent company of the place where I work - has been supporting the Prince's Trust for the last couple of years. They work to help young people get into jobs, education and training. They're essentially the older brothers and sisters of the kinds of kids I mentor with the Ministry of Stories.

When I signed up to help host work placements - I was hopeful that my efforts might eventually lead to more people with similar backgrounds to mine (or other diverse ones) into the creative industries - but the reality has far more been humbling.

The people who I've met have aspired to jobs in our mail room, in admin, or IT support - a really stark reminder of how hard it is for young people to get into work of any kind without the right education or experience. They've all been lovely, just lacking the right opportunities to get a leg up in life.

I know I said I wasn't going to run anymore, but I've signed up to do the Tough Mudder with some of my colleagues on October 12 - I'm going to be climbing some walls and doing some other dumb stuff that will involve me getting muddy and possibly bruised.

If you fancy relieving yourself of some money, please donate!

Thanks again,

Petah