I'm sitting here shocked, confused and bewildered. I thought this was to be the Summer of my dreams yet I have been left numb. You will be as surprised as I am to find out not only have I not been selected for the Euro 2012 squad but it appears I have not been chosen for the Olympics squad either (and surely I could be an over 23 player in the football team). On top of this no wild card for Wimbledon, I have not qualified for the Open and been missed out of the cricket squad for the South Africa series - for this reason I am announcing my immediate retirement from all forms of international cricket; tests, one-day, 20/20 and 6 and out in the garden. After all my years of training, sitting in front of the TV flicking between channels 401 and 405 have got me nowhere.

I am determind to win a medal so I am running the British 10K in London on 8th July. I will cross the line and I will win a medal.

I am raising money for the Children's Heart Federation. As many of you may know Oli was born with a VSD or hole in the heart which went undetected until 5 weeks. At 13 weeks he had an open heart surgery lasting four hours. 2 years later he is a totally normal child (well, that's debateable at times) who enjoys everything he does. Although the early part of his life was difficult for us all, we were in fact lucky. Other children who were in hospital at the time had far more complicated and serious conditions that would take years to resolve, if ever. The Children's Heart Federation is the leading children's heart charity and the umbrella body for voluntary organisations working to meet the needs of children and young people with congenital and acquired heart conditions and their families. Their vision is that all children with heart conditions have both their medical and social needs met so they can live life to the full.

Well, if you are still with me here, I'm already impressed. I've left this late to organise but would be grateful for any support you could give me in raising money for this worthwhile charity and at the same time helping me achieve my aim of getting a medal in 2012!

Thanks,

Robert