Honking uphill...

So, it turns out Bix is uphill. I found this out when running the three miles from Henley Bridge to Bix Church carrying the Team Honk baton. It was bit tough going on the legs, but great training for my upcoming half marathon - and a great feeling to be involved in something (other than the floods) that has been sweeping the nation since January.

Meeting on the bridge

Although a tad windy, the weather for the run was dry, yes dry. Even the path I took wasn't too muddy. And coming back a slightly different route, you could even say it was pleasant running along the country lanes in the sun, passing soggy fields and sandbags.

But the real buzz of taking part in the Team Honk Relay is the coming together of bloggers and their friends and family in a common fund-raising aim. The be-ribboned baton will travel nearly 3,000 miles during its person-to-person journey from Land's End to John O'Groats. It will zig-zag its way via 38 regional (often onesie-wearing) groups doing everything from roller blading to scooting to boating (particularly popular since the freak weather). By the time it reaches the end of its journey on March 23rd, it is hoped that the relay will have raised over £20,000 for Sport Relief. And I got to be one of the Reading Team that helped it on its merry way to Oxford, which is closest I'll ever get to being an Olympian!!

Handing over the baton

But, don't feel left out of the fun because the first ever Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games take place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March 2014 too. The baton is passed over to the public (only metaphorically, sorry) who can join the fun and games by running, swimming or cycling their way to raising cash at over a thousand venues around the country, including the landmark events at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Off to Oxford it goes...

Through these events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. The money raised by the public is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across the world, so if you want to donate visit the online donation page or text HONK to 70005 and donate £5 to Sport Relief.

I'm new to sporty fund-raising, but have you ever got involved in something similar? Have your kids? I'd love to hear how in the comment box below. Or let me know if you plan to raise money for a good cause in the future. 

Thanks for reading

Vanessa.