Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Marie Curie has been a cause close to my heart for the best part of two decades now, since I first saw at first hand the incredible work they do in terms of end of life care. I'm sure many of you can relate.

Twelve years ago this month I ran my first marathon, in Dublin with my wife and sisters, in aid of Marie Curie for the most personal of reasons. I then wore the colours to promote their work in London then Berlin. For my last two marathons, in New York and Tokyo, I supported another cause close to my heart, the Celtic FC Foundation, but now for marathon number six we're back to where it all started, with Marie Curie.

I was delighted last year when Harry Hood's lovely family chose Marie Curie to receive some of the proceeds from the sale of his biography Twice As Good, which it was my honour and privilege to write in conjunction with the family.

Thanks to the generosity of those who supported us, a four-figure sum has already been passed to them and my second commitment was to run the Chicago Marathon to supplement those monies. The situation with the pandemic put paid to plans to do that last October just as Harry's book was being released but a promise is a promise and 12 months down the line I am ready (sort of!) to fulfil that.

My wife Lesley will also be doing the race, albeit I suspect she will be somewhere in the distance ahead of me!

Anyway, if you are in a position to help support us in this madness I mean adventure then we would really appreciate that.

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you in advance.