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Well, it all started so promisingly. One minute the GDA staff were musing to ourselves over a drink how to raise some money for our amazing charity and suddenly we had a TEAM of runners up for the Cheltenham Half Marathon in 2015 (only on this occasion the CEO may definitely not lead from the front!).  Now, five months later I sit here, nursing a partially torn peroneal tendon  - look it up, if you've never heard of it -  and think, 'Did we ever realise what we were letting ourselves in for?..."

It was actually only ever supposed to be me and one or two other members of staff doing this challenge, but Graham thought he would give support by training alongside me. We have been running since the Spring and have suffered the injuries to show for it: with a hip issue for Graham very early on, which happily resolved itself after a couple of weeks' rest; and more seriously this ankle injury for me at the end of my best ever 8-mile run at the beginning of August. Suddenly Graham - what a star! - moved from training buddy to stepping up and flying the flag alone for the Hopkinses,, and he has since been continuing to train all by himself for Team GDA and doing fantastically well; I have been given a recovery time of 8-12 weeks, and I am still limping, so sadly it isn't looking good for me, but with the magic of physio every other day, I'll wait right up to the last minute before counting myself out...or not. He deserves nothing less!

I can confirm to those of you who have never tried it that a half marathon (13.1 miles) is definitely a LONG way.  We are so grateful to our lovely family and friends who have sponsored us to date, and it would be wonderful in these last weeks to reach our fundraising target.  Please do consider donating to this great cause (and I mean GDA of course, not Graham and me!).

Earlier this year, through extraordinary efforts by GDA staff, trustees and supporters, GDA managed to raise sufficient money  to pay off an eye-watering historic pension deficit of nearly half a million pounds - and we did it without cutting a single service to deaf and deaf blind people in Gloucestershire, or losing any one of the quite magical staff it is my privilege to work alongside.  This huge achievement leaves the charity and Deaf Community debt free, and still in ownership of our precious premises in Barnwood, Gloucester. But the distraction took us away from our regular fundraising we need for vital everyday services. The Cheltenham Half Marathon is just one of the ways we are now re-building our finances.

Along with the rest of the team, Graham - and wishful thinking me -  are happy to do the hard slog, but it would be so much appreciated if you could get behind this huge effort.

Thank you!