Firstly, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has backed me so far. As things stand, I’m only £77 away from the initial target of £2000, which is incredible.

We can do £4000, right? Of course we can; I’ve got stuff planned. The Former Players Association has donated a couple of great raffle prizes, so I’m going to do a raffle as well. That’ll stick a good number on. How exciting!

If you wish to sponsor me, you can do so here

How am I getting on? It’s a question I’ve been asked a bit recently, so I thought an update was in order. I’m keen to get some more stuff out about the Foundation, but I’ve not had time as late. Maybe it’s because I’ve been running so bloody much. Who would have thought training for a marathon would involve so much running, right?

I ran 11 miles before the Peterborough game (which, if you saw me, I undoubtedly told you. Twice). Today was another intervals run, and they’re not nice. I’m beginning to really dislike my trainer! Firstly, he has me running 11 miles after buying me beers on Friday night, and then he has me doing 1.6km intervals today, around Wragby (that wasn’t his choice in fairness) in the pouring rain (probably out of his scope of influence, but still…). The main image is me near Apley, trying to force a smile in the rain.

When I started training, I knew I was going to have to fight bad weather, and I can handle ice and cold, but rain is not great. When I finished my feet were soaking, my clothes were stuck to me and yet I still felt pretty good. I also did a portion of today’s run on the B1202, the Wragby to Bardney road, and that meant having to get drenched as lorries and cars went past through puddles. I suppose that’s the dirty side of marathon training you don’t realise!

Raffle

I can also announce that I will soon be holding a raffle to boost fundraising. I know I kinda did that at the top of the page, but currently, thanks to Gavin Gordon and the FPA, I have a framed signed shirt to raffle off and a squad-signed short from last season. One is signed by the Imps squad of the day, and the framed one is signed by a host of former players, with a picture of them at the bottom. They’re two great prizes, and there’s going to be more added as I ask for them! I’m pretty sure I’ll have something in my collection worth auctioning, such as two photographs I got signed on Friday, of Graham Bressington and John Schofield.

Keep an eye out for that. My book, tentatively titled ‘I Don’t Like Running, But Ran a Marathon’ is coming on well, and profits from that will also go to the charity drive.

Thank you, everyone, for your support, and I’ll update you again soon.

If you wish to sponsor me, you can do so here