Every day, the Anthony Nolan  charity saves the lives of people with a blood cancer or blood disorder. They do this by matching incredible individuals willing to donate their stem cells to people who desperately need a lifesaving transplant. They also carry out cutting edge scientific research, fund specialist post-transplant nurses and support patients and their families through the transplant process and beyond.  

For those who need a stem cell transplant it's a long haul. You could say it's like running a marathon. But the difference is that if the marathon runner tires they can always slow down or walk - for the cancer sufferer there is no stopping or giving up. They have to summon up a different type of courage and determination.......and they do. Those  with a close friend or family member with blood cancer will know what I mean.

Some of you reading this know me well,  but many others will perhaps know only a little - or nothing - about my background. Sport has always been a major part of my life. As a young teenager from the north-west I was one of a team of 10 that swam the Channel and I later played county schoolboy rugby  and represented English Universities. I took up squash in the mid-70s but didn't start running until the 1980s when I joined nine others running (slowly) from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise funds and awareness for The Samaritans. Prior to retirement  I was a senior local government officer in three different authorities before moving into the land and property sector and latterly was head of the country's largest endowed maritime charity.

All being well, I plan to start the London Marathon on 3 October from the back and am asking some of my supporters  to donate 1p/2p/3p or more for every runner I pass (or who does not finish) before reaching the finish line. I'm therefore calling this "Peter's Penny Marathon";  I'll let you know here how I get on after the event. But you don't have to donate that way and you may prefer to make any donation you can now. 

Please help me make it to the finish line and to achieve - or even exceed -  my fund-raising target. Thank you very much for any donation/sponsorship you feel able to make.