I am raising money by running my 1st London Marathon on the 17th April this year for 'Children with Leukaemia'- the UK's leading charity dedicated to fighting Britain's biggest childhood cancer.

This charity is something very close to my heart with a pupil in my class currently fighting this terrible illness having being diagnosed with it towards the end of last year.

I am in constant contact with him and his family and visit him regularly. I am pleased to say he is making steady progress in his recovery, although he has a long road ahead. However his parents tell me that his courage and positive attitude have kept them going during this terrible ordeal.

His class and all the pupils at Brooklands Primary, where I teach, are so proud of him and look forward to seeing him back at school. We are going to have events at school where both the pupils and staff will be supporting my cause by raising money to help fight this illness.

So after doing 2 Belfast Marathons, I am hard in training and can't wait to take to the roads of London. I am aiming to do a sub 3hr 45min marathon which will certainly better the time for my 2 Belfast Marathons.

More details of the charity, the marathon and how to make a donation through Virgin Money Giving (a non- profit organisation) can be accessed through:

All support and donations, whatever amount, will be much appreciated and please feel free to forward this email onto anyone else who may be interested in sponsoring me and supporting this worthwhile charity.

Many thanks for your support,

Ralph