OK so this may not be entirely relevant to our usual content covered here on Finextra but I wanted to use my blog profile as a platform to share with the world (well based on our recent user figures we're getting towards the whole world!) the training for and subsequent charity walk I will do doing in April.

So what am I doing? From 22 - 28 April I will be walking the length of the River Thames from the Source in Gloucestershire to the Thames Barrier in London. This works out as 184 miles in 7 days. A footpath runs from source to barrier and is a National Trail - if you want to check out the path and the route I'll be taking you can visit the website.

So why I am doing this I hear you ask. That's a good question! I thought it was high time I did something for charity and also pushed myself out of my comfort zone and carry out a personal challenge. Why the Thames? Well, I've always been interested in the history of the Thames, the importance of it in Engligh history and its role in the development of London as a capital city and of course living near it has inspired me to learn more about it and the journey it takes through the numerous counties as it develops.

I am also keen to use the walk to highlight the environmental, health and general mental well being benefits walking can bring. Walking from A to B (including from home to work and back and to and from meetings in the City) as a part of my daily routine will be an important part of my training and so even this will help to increase my fitness, reduce my impact on the environment and of course save me money! So the benefits are there to be seen!

Of course there is a very important charity angle to my walk as well. My charity is Sue Ryder Care and in particular the Leckhampton Hospice in Cheltenham, who cared for my Grandmother in her last few days when she was terminally ill.

I'll be regularly updating my blog on my training and of course during the walk itself. If you have any comments or tips for my training or walk I'll be happy to hear from you. Oh and if you'd like to sponsor me you can check out my Just Giving page.