As you probably know by now, I ran in the London Marathon on April 22 this year.

It was hot, and hard work, and not helped by transport hassles (well documented elsewhere), but I did it, and finished after 5 hours and 52 minutes - hardly a world record, but it was my first time.

Now, though the run is over, the task of collecting money for Phoenix Futures isn't quite done...

In case you're wondering who Phoenix Futures are, they're the charity for whom I've walked on hot coals (Autumn 2005) and then broken glass (Autumn 2006) - yes, there does seem to be a pattern emerging, I agree. But when they're not helping me find new and strange ways to be unkind to my feet, they do a darned good job of helping people who are trying to turn their lives around, and move away from drug and alcohol addiction. It's a frankly terrific organisation, and these good people need as much help as they can get when it comes to funding. So, please sponsor (or donate) - no amount is too small, or indeed too big.

You can sponsor securely from this page, and if you're a UK taxpayer, you can even 'Gift Aid' your donation without it costing you an extra penny - but Phoenix will get an extra 28% added by the taxman (even he has his nice moments, it seems) - yay!

If you have any questions at all, or if you'd like to see a picture of me in an inevitably sweaty and dishevelled state with my finisher's medal, please drop me a line at therunningman@johnsoanes.co.uk.

Many thanks !

John