Chris' 2013 New York marathon fundraising page

Last year I went to watch my brother in the New York marathon, only for it to be cancelled at the 11th hour in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Andy promised to return this year so enter the ballot knowing the chance of me getting a place were slim. Amazingly, I got in.

I've run a couple of marathons previously, and the last time I ran in 2008 ended with me on a St John's stretcher for an hour, hence the pause before another. I fundraised on that occasion, and people were very generous, so I hope those of you who supported me 6 years ago won't mind me tapping you up again, but it almost seems criminal to run and not raise some money for a very good cause. Furthermore, my family have very kindly paid for my travel and hotel, and I've paid the race fees, so every penny raised will benefit my chosen charity - Clubs For Young People Northampton (CYPN)

The official blurb on CYPN is that it's a youth charity that supports voluntary run youth and sports clubs, all with the aim to inspire, enable and educate young people, so they may become fully active individuals and members of society.

The unofficial is that CYPN work with clubs and youth groups to mentor and develop some of the most vulnerable members of society. They provide guidance to kids who maybe don't have a positive home life or role model, and they support those teenagers not in education, employment or training, so that they do have something to strive for. They give kids back a purpose, they help build up their self esteem, and they give them back their sense of self worth, all whilst letting them remain kids. They are good guys.

So, in short, please, dig deep, support me for the 26.2 miles of chaffing, and more importantly, support CYPN in the process. Every penny helps, and will be gratefully received for sure.

Thanks for reading.

Chris.

P.s. One of the people in the photo finished 4th, one finished 13,534th - no prizes for guess which is which!