You have to be kind of mad to run a marathon anyway - as those that have done will know - but I'm going to be doing it raising money for an incredible charity - Ambitious Ambout Autism - whilst aiming to set a Guinness World Record for the "fastest marathon dressed as a knight"!

Why dressed as a knight, you ask? Great question! The most logical - and only - answer is that the marathon happens to be on St Georges Day this year (as well as being my wife's birthday), so that explains the costume!

Specifically, to complete this challenge, I need to run the full distance in a tunic with cape, headpiece, cuffs, belt, knee high boots, sword and shield! Yes, 26.2 miles in knee high leather boots, clutching a shield and a sword. This is not going to be pretty!

By the time I get to the start line, I will have clocked up 1/2 million meters of training runs (not many of them in public with the boots on), so I'm doing everything I can to make it round and beat the clock!

But more than the challenge itself, this is my way to raise funds and raise the profile of an amazing organisation called Ambitious about Autism - the national charity for children and young people with autism. They provide services, raise awareness and understanding, and campaign for change, with an ambition to make the ordinary possible for more children and young people with autism.

You can find out more about them here: 

https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/

This is of course very meaningful to me, as we have a 9 year old son who was diagnosed with Autism at 3. My wife and I have been so lucky to have had continuous support from various school, nursery, government, local authority and charitable bodies – and amazing people within those organisations - so this is just me saying thanks to everyone, and giving back in my own way!

If you are able to, contribute what you can to help reach my fundraising goal of £2023! It's greatly appreciated, and all fund will be going to a brilliant charity and cause. Thank you!