'Are you mad?! Running 10k in Dubai? Do you know how hot it will be?'

Well, yes, I guess I am mad. But a small idea sitting with friends around a pool in Spain a couple of months ago has grown into rather a 'big' idea and now I find myself - along with friends and work colleagues Mandy Shine and Nadine Heubel - arranging 'Miles for Smiles' a Travel Retail Fun Run in Dubai on November 22. We're hoping that up to 50 travel retail guys and gals will take part in 'Running Miles for Smiles', raising lots of money for this most worthy of causes.

So I could hardly not do it myself, could I? Trouble is, my running to date has been mostly restricted to 10-20 minutes on a lovely treadmill in the gym, with my ipod firmly plugged in. Very much the loathed part of my gym routine...I really don't like running. Now I'm trying to learn to love it - and love running on the pavement instead of the treadmill. It's not going terribly well so far, but I'm determined to get there - and with your support I will!

Why the Smile Train? There are so many worthwhile charities and causes that we can give money to. But this touched my heart. I have four children and they smile a lot of the time. To think that they were unable to because of this terrible impediment would be unthinkable. To think that so many children can't smile, for the sake of a simple and not expensive operation, is also unthinkable.

The travel retail industry, of which I am thankful to be part of through my work, has raised thousands and thousands of dollars/pounds/euros for The Smile Train. I want to do my bit...so please sponsor me!

Thank you xxxxxx

See our blog and add your comments: http://travelretailsmiletrainrun.blogspot.com/