Thanks for donating, it means a lot to me - here's my story...

I haven't done any exercise for 3 years. In fact I lost a stone just running around Rotherham knocking on doors recently. So you'd think running the London Marathon in just a short time is a crazy idea. And yes, it is.

It's a huge personal challenge. But it's nothing compared to the stories of young people who face cruelty day in day out at the hands of other people.

Quite the motivation I hope you'll agree.

There's been a lot in the news this year about cruelty and abuse to children. But what you won't have heard too much about is the amazing work the NSPCC do to help people who have suffered in the past, who are suffering right now, and even to prevent it in the future.

Whether it's providing direct intervention, listening to a child's call, or even lobbying in parliament for change, the work of the NSPCC costs money.

£10 could pay for an online 1-2-1 counselling session for a distressed child, who wants to talk about their abuse for the first time.

£20 could pay for an NSPCC ChildLine worker to answer calls for another hour, so more desperate children can get the vital help they need.

£50 could pay for a child, traumatised by abuse, to spend one hour with a social worker. Enough time for the worker to begin to build a trusting relationship with the child.

SO PLEASE DIG DEEP and together, let's try and raise £2k for this fantastic charity!