I am proud to be a trustee of The Story Museum. For those of you who don't know - in the heart of Oxford, a most unusual new Story Museum is evolving where visitors will be able to immerse themselves in magical worlds, experience new stories, and rediscover old classics. The Story Museum believes stories are essential to everyone. They have the power to unlock the imagination, inspire creativity and improve literacy. Through a programme of exhibitions, events and outreach projects the Museum explores and harnesses this power. The Story Museum also works with schools, communities, and disadvantaged groups to bring story to those who otherwise would have limited access, therefore helping to improve life chances and wellbeing.So far just over 90% of the £6 million target towards the redevelopment has been raised. This will create 10 new gallery and activity spaces, and help us to bring more stories to more people in more ways.All money raised will go towards The Story Museums capital redevelopment and the ongoing collections and exhibitions work.

I have been challenged to read all of the Paddington Stories and encourage you lovely folk to support me in doing so but I know that sponsoring me to read is a bit like sponsoring me to breathe so I'm adding a little twist. For each of the 99 stories and with one extra for the spare under Paddington's hat I will run a kilometre. On the run up to Christmas from 1-25  December I will run or run/walk 5 kilometres and read 5 of the stories. You lovely folk can help me meet my goal by sponsoring me for each story and kilometre - £10 for each will get me there... These kilometres will also count towards my Run Up to Christmas target and if I get to the £1000 target by Christmas Day I will also donate £100 to Mind.