Dear All,

Please sponsor me to run the Connemara half-marathon on 22 March: (a) in my quest to lose that double chin, and (b) in support of the people of Gaza.

I'm sure you can find a reason to support me in one or both of these objectives!

You will be aware of the massive humanitarian crisis resulting from recent military action, with 1440 Arab dead, and 5380 wounded. This comes after some 60 years of misfortune for the people of Gaza whose families arrived there as refugees and whose plight has never been resolved.

My interest and connection with Palestinians goes back to 1990 when I worked and lived in UN schools, teaching refugee children. Whatever your view on the politics, this appeal is aimed solely to help resolve immediate humanitarian needs of 1.1 million people.

The DEC appeal is currently targetted at providing immediate aid to these people. So donate early. I will change to another charity with similar purposes if the DEC switch their focus to a different campaign between now and the event.

13 miles is about 20km. In Connemara (Ireland, where the run is taking place) I expect to pass homes for about 100 people. In Gaza (one of the most crowded places on earth) I would pass homes for 700,000!