A decade on from the start of my fundraising efforts as part of my thirtieth birthday celebrations, I felt it was about time to get something else planned for this year as my mileometer passes the 4-0 mark!

I’m so grateful for all the support I have received from friends, family and colleagues that have helped me raise funds for Mind, FaceUp Cymru, Adoption UK and Macmillan cancer suppprt over the past 10 years and I am hopeful that I can call on your kindness one last time as I set about trying to raise funds in support of the amazing Asger Marsh and his family.

The Marsh family have offered so much love and support to my own family and this is my way of giving something back to them.

As you can read on the central ‘Help Asger to Walk’ fundraising page…

Asger is aged four from Stroud. He is one of twins, born prematurely at 31 weeks. Sadly, 24 hours after birth Asger’s lungs collapsed and he had several procedures, including chest drains, to help him breathe. He spent the next 6 weeks in a critical condition in neonatal intensive care, where he was wired up to various lifesaving equipment and fed through a tube. Six weeks after leaving hospital, Asger stopped breathing and was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by his dad, Sam, before being rushed off to hospital again for treatment.

Sometime during these traumatic events, Asger suffered brain damage and over the coming year began to show signs of missing important mobility milestones. At 18-months-old he was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy.

Now at four-years-old, due to his condition, his leg muscles cannot grow at the correct rate, and this is causing pain and discomfort when he tries to stand. He uses a walking frame to get around, but his muscles are only getting tighter as he grows. Your donation will help provide Asger with the major spinal surgery (SDR) that he so desperately needs, along with all the important post-op physiotherapy and equipment. The money raised will also support Asger's cost of general welfare and education that are required due to the physical disabilities he faces.

This is our one opportunity to give him the best chance of a pain-free future and limit any damage to his legs and hips.

So, what will I be doing to encourage you to support this cause?

I am nowhere near as fit as I was back in 2014, but I am going to try and complete at least 12 half marathons during 2024.

This ‘one-a-month’ challenge will take in some organised races, some 13.1 mile / 21 km training runs more locally to home and perhaps of greatest interest to others, some half marathon distance walks which I am hopeful other people may join me for.

As I have said many times before, I am no runner. I do it solely to manage my mental health, which really has had many peaks and troughs in the last decade. It is inspirational people like the Marsh’s that have helped me in the bad times, along with the unrelenting love of my wife, Leah. By once again pulling on my running trainers (for at least 12 'final' times) I hope that my ‘coping mechanism’ can be used to raise some vital funds to help Asger and his family enjoy a better future.

What’s in the diary so far?

#1. Sunday 21 January, Shipston to Stratford training run, half marathon distance - DONE

#2. Sunday 4 February, Warwick Half Marathon - DONE

#3. Saturday 2 March, Shipston to Stratford training run, half marathon distance - DONE

#4. Saturday 16 March, Birmingham to Stratford canal walk (approx 24 miles) - Details: 08.08am train from Stratford on Avon - Acock's Green then walk back - DONE

#5. Sunday 21 April, Stratford-upon-Avon Half Marathon - DONE

#6. Saturday 11 May, Kemble to Stroud canal walk (approx 13.1 miles) - Details: Train from Stroud to Kemble, then walk back finishing at Stroud Brewery - DONE

#7. Sunday 9 June, Swansea Half Marathon - DONE

#8. Sunday 14 July, Compton Verney Half Marathon - DONE

#9. Saturday 27 July, Shipston to Stratford-upon-Avon, plus Stratford park run - DONE

#10. Sunday 8 September, Kenilworth Half Marathon - DONE

#11. Sunday 29 September, Stroud Five Valleys Walk - DONE

#12. Sunday 27 October, Stroud Half Marathon - DONE

#13. ???

If you want to get involved, or join me on any of my adventures please drop me an email via cacowcher@hotmail.co.uk.