As many of you will be aware it hasn't been the easiest of years for me personally, especially with the very sad news that a good friend of mine, Trish passed away in March following a lengthy and very brave battle against cancer.

I am due to run the London Marathon on 26th April and whilst I have done other Marathons before, my training this time round got off to a rather slow start and has not been as focused as previously. So I can't imagine it being a Personal Best this time, but I am determined to run in memory of my friend and for all those who can no longer run. Trish was a lovely, inspirational lady with an incredible zest for life right to the very end, so remembering that indomitable spirit of hers should help me complete the course when the going gets tough.

I first met Trish on holiday in Namibia where we quickly discovered a shared interest in Conservation and the Environment. On that trip we were lucky enough to view magnificent rhinos together in Etosha National Park, a truly remarkable experience. So it seems appropriate for me to run in aid of an incredible project which I am sure Trish would have supported. The project is called Rhinos Without Borders and the Africa Foundation is coordinating the collection of funds in the UK; 82% of the world's remaining free-ranging rhino live in South Africa where illegal poaching is at an all time high, with one rhino being killed every nine hours! At this rate the species could be extinct in the wild by just 2020.

Rhinos Without Borders plans to relocate 100 rhino from South Africa to the safe havens of Botswana. 10 rhino are ready to be moved now and funds for 6 more rhino if transported by road, or only 3 rhinos if transported by air which is their preferred option. It is the most amazing conservation concept but the translocation will cost an estimated USD 8 million so every donation however big or small counts and will be very much appreciated by both me and the rhinos.