Hi, and thanks for coming here

On May 23rd, 2010 I am running the Edinburgh Marathon. That's 26.2 miles through the streets of the city - something I've only been daft enough to try once before when I completed the London Marathon in 2009. This represents a huge challenge to me - having never until then shown any interest in exercise in the first 36 years of my life I have begun to take on the twin challenges of challenging myself physically in ways that I could never have imagined, and raising money for causes that I feel genuinely passionate about.

This year I am raising money for the Orangutan Land Trust - check the website here at http://www.forests4orangutans.org 

Many of you will know that in 2000 I was lucky enough to visit Indonesia and see orangutans in their natural habitat. Future generations may not be so lucky, and it is a travesty to think that one of the great ape species, so genetically close to humans, could be in very real danger of extinction. Ever since then I have tried to do my bit to highlight their plight, although this is the first year that I have done that by running 26.2 miles.

The orangutan is endangered and its future is under constant threat due to habitat loss. In particular, forests are being cut down to create palm oil plantations, and the world's demand for palm oil coupled with its unsustainable production is driving more and more rainforest destruction.

Many orangutans, often orphaned following the killing of their mothers, have been rescued and are in rehabilitation centres following loss of their habitat. The Orangutan Land Trust objective is to provide permanent solutions for the long-term survival of the orangutan in the wild by ensuring safe areas of land for their continued existence. It is an essential stage in the rehabilitation of orangutans and protection of the species.

Please sponsor me if you feel you can - however small the amount. It will be really appreciated and will make a difference.

Here's the blurb:

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.