Hi, I’m Charlotte! As most of you may know, I spend a frankly questionable amount of my free time running 100-mile races.

Whilst I appreciate it would be taking the p to fundraise for every race, once a year I like to put all those miles to good use and give something back to a small local charity that truly deserves the support. Last year we raised a fantastic amount for Friends of the Animals and this time I’m running for Skipper’s Sanctuary in Wootton Bridge.

All 100 mile races provide an element of suffering, but Arc of Attrition in particular is 100 miles around the Cornish coast in the middle of winter - which means the usual topography of technical, muddy, exposed elevation on coastal paths, combined with a lot of darkness, low temperatures and likely unfavourable weather. It will be quite the contrast to my last sunny race in Mallorca, and will be my first taste of winter racing!

Although not a mountain race, it still delivers over 5300m/17,388ft of elevation of the brutal 161km course.

Skipper’s Sanctuary is a small, dedicated haven that provides safety, rehabilitation, and lifelong care for unreleasable wild birds (mostly pigeons and gulls). I was introduced to Claire when I rescued a pigeon out of the River Medina.

I think it's so valuable that we have somebody here on the island who is able to help and care for our birds, which are often over looked! I appreciate all the help she's given me with birds, and the work she continues to do within the community.

Arc 100 has a 36 hour time limit with additional aid station and safety cut-offs on route. With large stretches of coastline between aid stations, runners need the ability to be self-sufficient for long periods of time.

I'll be spending my birthday in December training along the course, so if once upon a time you would have bought me a birthday drink - please consider donating to this fundraiser the equivalent!

Thank you for all of your support!

Charlotte