On Sun 3 Mar 2019 I will be running the Eastbourne Half Marathon to raise money for Campaign Against Living Miserably, a charity offering support to men who are feeling suicidal. Shockingly suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.

I’m running in memory of my cousin Russell Chance who took his own life in February 2018.  He was thirty-six.  Eastbourne was Russell’s home-town; it’s where he lived and worked and it feels appropriate to be marking his life in this way.  His sister Louise is also running so it’ll be a special and no-doubt emotional day for our family.

Now as I run regularly I’ve come up with another way of persuading you to part with your cash. I’m also committing to a thirteen week pre-race Dryathlon.

Yes, that’s right - from Mon 3 Dec until race day I will be off the booze.

This is a big challenge. I like a pint.

It means facing the terrifying reality of my own mind during the winter months, but it’ll be good for me. I hope.

So that’s thirteen weeks of sobriety and thirteen miles of road running in aid of CALM.

Suicide casts a long shadow over the friends and family it leaves behind and I dearly hope that the money raised will help other men reach out and find help in their darkest moments. Please give what you can.