Quoting a New Order lyric may not be the most obvious way to start a personal appeal for sponsorship, but it speaks to my experience of running. Probably like a lot of people, I started running again during lockdown and over the past four years I've continued, joining my local running club (Orpington Road Runners), competing for them and running two to three times a week. I've experienced moments of pain, injury, frustration and even fear. Mostly I just love slipping out of the house first thing in the morning and feeling that sense of liberty as I move through the streets of south London.

I've always been inspired by the exploits of British middle to long distance runners; a long line stretching from Steve Cram, to Paula Radcliffe to Sir Mo Farah. When I was growing up, the heroics of the generation of British runners that inspired the film 'Chariots of Fire' were still (just) within living memory. And the Corinthian Spirit and its ideals of amateurism, doing your best but above all applying the highest standards of sportsmanship were still very much an inspiration and values worth aspiring to. Those ideals and runners still inspire me today and I'll be leaning on that as I complete this challenge.

Most of you will probably know I love running. What I probably share less is the importance of my faith. I'm a Catholic and Sunday mornings you'll find me with my family at St Joseph's Church in Bromley.

Jesus taught us that the one of the most important commandments is to 'Love your neighbour as yourself', Matthew. 22:36-39. So the opportunity to combine my running and faith to support CAFOD is my main motivation for running the 2025 TCS London Marathon.

CAFOD is an international development charity helping people affected by poverty, climate change, conflict and injustice around the world, working with dedicated local experts to make a real, lasting difference.

Any donation will be greatly appreciated. Together, let's make the world a better place for all our 'neighbours'.