FIRST MARATHON RUNNER FOR GINGERBREAD

Guardian journalist Julia Day will become Gingerbread's first ever marathon-running fundraiser when she takes part in the London Marathon on April 23rd.

Julia chose Gingerbread as her marathon charity to say a heart-felt 'thank you'. In the 1970s, Dad Tony took Julia and her sister Tanya to their local Gingerbread group in Northampton.

"I remember having a great time at Gingerbread, making friends and having fun. But the support Gingerbread gave my Dad was invaluable for him, and for us as a family," said Julia. "I thought raising money for the charity's brilliant work was a good way to say a massive, belated, 'thank you'."

Julia has been training for her first marathon effort since December, braving the wind and rain on Brighton's seafront at times when sane folk are tucked up in bed. If you would like to sponsor her, you can do so through her website.