Well, at the age where everyone supposedly either gets engaged or punishes themselves by getting into running, I regretfully find myself firmly in the tarmac-stomping camp.

I’ve always wanted to be able to say that I’ve run a marathon - the obvious and unfortunate fact is that to say that, you actually have to run a marathon, which up until recently I had absolutely zero interest in. Now thanks to both my own naivety and Investec for securing the place, I’m ‘lucky’ enough to be running the London marathon on 21 April. So until then I’m forfeiting at least a few hours of every weekend to try and get myself as ready as I can be for this ridiculous thing. After which, providing I don’t get any other silly ideas, I can hang up the Hokas and then spend the rest of my days unbearably telling everybody that I did indeed once run the London marathon. Brace yourselves.

Of course, this is all for a good cause.

Personally, barring the Scout Association, I’ve never really had much to do with any charities, at least as far as I can remember. So to that end I’ll be running for a charity that has helped my family. During my grandad’s long battle with cancer, MacMillan were very supportive, as ever. Yet, while not an excuse, I’m aware that hundreds of us pavement-pounding lunatics will be raising funds for MacMillan. And so this time, I’ve decided to run for a separate cause. Perhaps if I do have another silly idea I’ll support MacMillan as a fundraiser, but until then I shall as a donator.

In 2016, we very sadly lost my step dad, my sister’s dad, Tom, far too early to a short illness. During the final weeks of Tom’s life, Hospice UK were remarkable in the care they gave him, and us as a family. While I won’t be running for Hospice UK personally, Tom’s brother, Oliver, will be. And so I ask that you visit Oliver’s page, read a little more about Tom’s story, and help him raise funds for Hospice UK in Tom’s memory, here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/oliver-chew.

Instead, I’ll be running for WAY - Widowed and Young. Particularly for my mum and my sister Phoebe, losing Tom saw their world turned upside down. Adjusting to life post-Tom was, and in many ways still is, a near impossible task. But in the months after, WAY provided what help they could to mum in adjusting. WAY constructs peer-to-peer support groups for those who lose their partners prematurely, of course not that there is a right time for such things. At a time that naturally can feel very lonely, speaking with others in a similar situation, who understand what you’re going through, can be invaluable. So, to contribute to WAY and allow the charity to continue to provide support for those like my mum, please donate to the cause and help me raise the funds that facilitate the construction of these vital support groups. In return I’ll do my absolute best on 21 April, and post-race might even let you enjoy a conversation with me where I don’t bring it up.

Thank you all so much, and in the ever-graceful words of Delia Smith. Let’s be ‘avin you.