I am 30 on 28th May this year. I have decided to celebrate this by running 30 miles (in one go, not cumulatively, smart-arse!) and would like you all to help!

Yes I could have tried the London Marathon but I didn't get a regular place and really wanted to raise money for the Smile Train. They provide free cleft lip and palate operations to children around the world and, by doing so, change their lives immeasurably for the better. I, and they, would be really grateful for any donation you could make. http://www.smiletrain.org/our-model/.

To promote audience participation (mass suicide?) and "celebrate" my birthday, I would like any of you with the time and inclination to join me on the run. You are welcome to run all 30 miles with me, or just a couple of miles. If you could also bring a Snickers bar or other high calorie snack or drink that you don't mind donating to the cause, that would be great! Kate has already volunteered for the last 5 miles; sadist.

The plan is to get up nice and early on Saturday 25th May 2013 and get started. To save my knees (kind of), I'm going to stage the run in the picturesque Wimbledon Common and hilly Richmond Park in south London. I'm hoping to still be standing (or just still awake) in the afternoon/evening, so would like to invite you all to a party at our house in Tooting on Saturday afternoon.

Thanks. Get in touch if you want to join in.

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So please dig deep and donate what you can.