On April 17th 2011, I will be running the London Marathon as part of team Shelter and aiming in the process to raise around £2000 for Shelter.

Shelter exist to help the homeless whilst also advising and providing support for those with housing problems all around the UK.

1.4 million children in England live in bad housing

In 2008 the number of repossessions rose to 40,000 from 25,900 the previous year, and it is predicted that 65,000 homes will be repossessed in 2009

In 2008/09, more than 79,500 households were found to be homeless by local authorities

The issues extend far beyond the very obvious problem of homelessness that we are all too familiar with seeing on our streets in every major city. With increasing economic pressures more and more families are at risk of losing their houses and facing repossession, a move that can tear families apart. There is still a very real stigma attached to losing ones house and the help that a charity such as Shelter provide in advice and finding alternative housing can be invaluable to those effected.

Personally, I fear far too many of us have become acclimatised to the sight of people sleeping rough on our streets and its all too easy to assume it 'their fault' and just walk by instead of empathise and demand that something has to change and be done for these people; we are a developed nation but still large swathes of our population are living in inadequate conditions.

It is for these reasons that I want to raise money for Shelter, a well worthy cause and will be doing this by running the London Marathon - thats 26 miles and 385 yards or 42.195 KM that I will be running, hopefully non stop, taking around 3.5 to 4 hours. This will be hard! I only found out recently that I will be participating so have around 4 months to train for the event. I will be running every other day, training in the gym regularly and changing my diet all in preparation.

So please, in support of all the amazing work that Shelter do or just because the thought of me running that far either impresses, amuses or confuses you do donate anything that you can. The aim is to reach £2000, anything you can give will help. 

Thanks!

Alex Archer

xx