On 23 April I will attempt to become the fastest man to run a marathon dressed as a lifeguard. The obvious question is "why...?" to which I would say "why not...!". I am hoping to raise some serious cash for two very important charities: - the Teenage Cancer Trust; and - the Little Princess Trust.

As many of you may know, I was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, and was treated during four months of chemotherapy on a teenage cancer trust ward. These wards allow teenagers and young adults to be treated with their peers. Every day, seven young people aged 13-24 hear the words “you have cancer”. Each needs specialised nursing care and support and the TCT is the only UK charity dedicated to ensuring that no young person faces cancer alone. Your donation will fund specialised nurses, youth workers and hospital units in the NHS, so young people have dedicated staff and facilities to support them throughout treatment. It may also help pay for events for young people with cancer to help them regain independence and meet other young people going through something similar.

Whilst being treated, I met many young people who had lost their hair as part of their treatment. Recently, a close friend of my five-year old daughter has been diagnosed with alopecia and faces complete hair loss. Hair loss at whatever age can be devastating; for a young girl or young adult, the impact can be even greater. The Little Princess Trust provides free, real-hair wigs for children and young people experiencing the devastating effects of hair loss. It also funds pioneering, life-saving research into childhood cancers.

I would be delighted if you are able to support me

and for those of you who are wondering, the time I need to beat is 2:55:54, or 26.2 miles at 6:42 a mile....

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. Tom