Training for a marathon is hard enough, writes Sue Austin.

But if you are one of the ‘lucky’ ones to be running thanks to a golden bond charity ticket then you have an even harder task – raising the money you have promised the charity in exchange for that coveted place.

Yes, of course friends and family will sponsor you. But most charities who have golden bond marathon places expect their runner to raise upwards of a thousand pounds – and often more than £2,000.

Now that’s a lot of money to find and my only tip to runners like me is to try and hold events to raise the money rather than rely on sponsorship.

If people feel that they are having a good night out for their money – and you can still make a profit – then you have cracked the fundraising conundrum.

Fundraising should be about the first three letters, fun.

But organising events, whether a bingo evening or a ball, takes a huge amount of time and effort.

I would never have taken up my ‘golden ticket’ had I not had the most incredible bunch of friends who I hoped would help me with the fundraising.

When hubbie had his charity place two years ago I was his fundraising manager and together with his running partner ‘adele’ and my wonderful friends we made double the amount he had pledged to raise.

Would they do it a second time around? I tentatively invited them for a girls’ night in to discuss a fundraising

night at our town hall, putting out half a dozen glasses and a few nibbles.

When so many turned up that I ran out of glasses and had to raid the kitchen for more provisions, I had to stop myself from getting over emotional!

Three hours and several bottles of wine later we had settled on our Night At the Oscars event at Ellesmere Town Hall on March 28 and as well as putting most of the arrangements in place, had had a great night into the bargain.

Their generosity of spirit and friendship made me even more determined to get on with my marathon training.

If they could give up their time to help raise the money, then it was the least I could do to put in the hours clocking up the miles.