I have deleted the standard blurb to instead add something a bit more personal!  Most of us are unfortunately touched by cancer at some point in our lives; either directly or through a friend or loved one, so no one can deny this is a great cause!

No doubt you will receive dozens of requests for sponsorship for similar events, but a lot of the time it will be from fitness freaks that bounce along like gazelles, barely breaking a sweat, who LOVE running,  I think it would be fair to say that I do not naturally fit into that category!  

Sod the nutters that are running marathons, focus on those of us doing something completely outside their comfort zone!  Let's face it where is the challenge in running 26 miles if you weigh only slightly more that my right leg! (In all seriousness anyone that runs a marathon is amazing, but I know my limits and I don't want to be one of those poor people that collapses 5 miles in and has a microphone shoved in their gasping face by a concerned looking Clare Balding whilst they are being dragged off by St Johns Ambulance!)

Most would agree that I am not really built for running....or jogging....or even a tortoise' speed shuffle, however I do give it a go, despite the constant battle with trying to drag my reluctant arse off the sofa, to plod around the streets hoping not to be recognised!  This is then followed by a 2 hour period where my face slowly returns from the colour of an over ripe Tesco's Finest plum tomato back to something that will allow me to be seen in public without looks of concern from onlookers!

This year, myself (who runs using the entirely inappropriate running name of Zola Budd....Google her if you are under 30!) and my regular running buddy Cara (AKA Paula Radcliffe) have started our 'running' efforts early by joining Dursley Running Club Walk 2 Run programme.  There is great camaraderie from our running group and the support is fab...although that is not to say there is any risk of me joining the 'I love running' brigade.  We will be joined on our 5km quest by our new regular running buddy Jenny, who hasn't yet been put off by my boundless 'enthusiasm'.  As we couldn't think of another well known female,  for running purposes (despite a few minor physical differences!) Jenny will now be known as 'Christie' (as in Linford!)

So, please dig deep. Your donation will not only help a truly worthy cause, but it will also mean you will be one of the people I can personally hold responsible for ensuring I have to keep up the running.  AND to ensure you receive value for money from your donation you can have the pleasure of asking me every so often how I am getting on and if I am enjoying it.  Rest assured that your kind enquiries will be met with a grunt, or possibly a moderately offensive range of expletives or at best a slightly more descriptive moan!

Don't forget to add Gift Aid

If you're a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no extra cost to you.

Sponsor me now, and help me show cancer that hell hath no fury like a woman in pink.