Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In 4 weeks time I will be running the Birmingham Bupa half marathon for Freedom from Torture, the organization that I work for. Doing the half marathon wasn't really a decision I made, I did it more out of social convention (everyone in the office was doing it and I felt a bit pathetic saying no). Most of you who know me will know that I am more at home on the sofa with a bottle of red then on the treadmill, so training has been a huge challenge for me. The challenge has been made even harder by a badly timed holiday to Spain 6 weeks before the marathon where I mainly sat around in the sun eating everything my training programme says you DEFINATELY MUST NOT eat. Oh dear.

But I am once again hitting the pavement and am determined to do this for the organization which has inspired me so much.

Freedom from Torture is a human rights organization that works with survivors of torture. We are a highly effective agency counteracting the inhuman practice of torture and its effects through healing and empowering survivors, learning from and teaching others and speaking and acting for human rights and dignity. But we need your help. The West Midlands Centre is in desperate need of resources for our new child and family service which will help unaccompanied child refugees who have survived torture. All the money I raise will go directly to this project. Even the smallest donations will help and a little can go a long way.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

For more information about Freedom from Torture please visit www.freedomfromtorture.org