TO TEXT SPONSOR ME JUST SEND A TEXT TO 70075 with the message NEWC69 £5 (If you want to sponsor more or less than £5 just change the figure after the pound sign)

I love running, there is no hiding from it....  

It has dominated my life since I first trained to run the Great North Run in 2006.  I followed my 2 brothers' and father's footsteps to the completion of my rite of passage as a Geordie and member of a competitive sporting family!  

Rite of passage achieved, I have continued to run ever since, Forest Gump style (albeit never been able to grow the beard...that didn't "run" in the genes).  

There are a number of reasons I love running - the health benefits, the solitude it provides me on long runs, the immense runners "high" I get, personal competition against the clock (I love PBs) and the fantastic places that it takes me in order to compete.

I can now add another special reason to running, and that is to raise money for Music in Hospitals Scotland, a charity that I'm personally very close to (in fact married to!).  Reason enough?!  Moreso when you see what the charity does for the individuals it helps.

The charity enables people of all ages in hospitals, hospices, care homes and day care centres to enjoy the therapeutic benefit of high quality live music performed by talented professional musicians, specially selected for their ability to communicate with sensitivity.

I've ran a lot of marathons, but I've never ran further than 26.2 miles in one go.   If I am to earn your sponsorship for achieving something that is truly outside my regular comfort zone, it is completing, in one day, the distance between Carlise Castle to Newcastle Quayside following the stunningly beautiful Roman Wall built by the emperor Hadrian's army, some 2000 years ago. 

69 miles in total.  

As a Geordie, finishing this event at the epic Tyne bridge, Newcastle Quayside with a Newcastle Brown Ale in my hand will be in my sights. (I'll even be wearing suitable shorts and vest attire for a Saturday night on the tiles in the Toon!)

Thank You so much from me personally and on behalf of Music in Hospitals Scotland for your support.