I'm running the Herts 10k in early October and would love your support. The run is in support of Grove House, a hospice that provides activities, support and care for those with life-threatening diseases, and with it often momentary relief for families struggling to look after their loved ones alone. I have first-hand experience of the good that it can do, as my mum visited it several times when she was ill, and took painting classes; producing a picture of a lonely boat on a tumultuous sea, which she worried she would never finish but still hangs in our living room today. This is for her, and it's a run I've been meaning to do ever since. Now that I finally have something approaching the requisite level of fitness for me to complete it without (fingers-crossed) embarassing myself, I figured this year should be the year. Currently battling a bit of a bad back but I'd gladly take seriously strong painkillers in order to make it round, so your sponsorship won't be in vain.

This spiel is actually quite helpful, so I'll keep it...

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