The world's top priority for 2021 is bringing the COVID-19 pandemic under control. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is uniquely placed to research, inform and advocate on a global scale to mitigate the impact of this pandemic, which has had such a monumental impact on our day to day lives. Sadly, many people have lost their lives to the virus so far, with the most marginalised and health unequal groups across the world bearing the brunt of the pandemic. I am raising money for the school's COVID-19 response fund, as the work they do is integral to ushering in better health outcomes for both this pandemic and those to follow.

Although I see this as en excellent cause in need of vital funding, fundraising decorum dictates that I must do something unpleasant in order to persuade you to part with your hard-earned cash. So, I have decided to take part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon which should be a suitably painful experience to encourage you to donate to the response fund. In a moment of madness, I declared to my flatmates that I would aim for a time of under 90 minutes, which I am now starting to realise is a pretty challenging milestone for a reluctant runner who has never ran a half marathon before! Wish me luck and don't forget to donate to this outstanding cause.