Hi,

I'm finally doing my 10th London Marathon! Six and a half years, and various injuries, have passed since my last one - and doing it aged 41 is a different kettle of fish to doing it aged 34! I've left it very late to do the fundraising as to be honest I wasn't sure until recently that my knackered legs would be able to do the 26.2 miles (particularly after having had Covid earlier this year), but thanks to Nike Vaporfly trainers and a healthy dose of Nurofen it now looks like they just about can!

Like in many previous years I'm running to raise money for Brain Research UK (formerly known as the Brain Research Trust). I was inspired to raise money for them after Tetyana's and my dear mentor and friend, Alan Rodger (the former judge and law officer Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, pictured above), died well before his time of a brain tumour in 2011. This year marks a decade after his passing and is therefore a fitting time to dust off the training and run my 10th marathon in his honour.

Tetyana and I owe Alan more than I can possibly describe, on a personal and professional level, and we miss him every day. We would not be were we are without the inspiration he gave us in our formative years. He was taken from us too soon by a disease that Brain Research UK commission research into fighting. If that's not a good enough reason to give money to them, I don't know what is.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Charlie Banner