Fitter = happier

Radiohead's drummer Phil Selway has sent an email to those on the W.A.S.T.E. mailing list, looking for interested parties to sponsor him when he runs the London Marathon this April. All funds raised will go to The Samaritans.

All sponsors will be entered in a draw to win a Premier drumkit that Selway used during the recording of OK Computer.

The email in full - and relevant web addresses for those who are interested in sponsoring him - are below:

"Before we start work on the next Radiohead album, I will foolishly be running in the London Marathon 2002, on Sunday 14th April.

"I am writing to ask if you would kindly sponsor me for this event, and help me raise much-needed funds for The Samaritans.

"The Samaritans are a UK-based charity who offer twenty-four-hour availability and support to people who are going through a period of crisis and who may have suicidal feelings.

"They are part of a worldwide organisation called Befrienders International.

"I'm hoping to run the Marathon in four hours.

"In those four hours, The Samaritans will take around 2,200 calls from people who are in need of emotional support. The Samaritans will listen to them, giving them the time and space to say how they are really feeling.

"I'm aiming to raise £4,500, but hoping that the total will be much higher.

"All sponsors will be entered into a draw to win the drumkit which I used on various tracks on OK Computer, including Exit Music and Paranoid Android.

"The kit is a five-piece cherry-red Premier XPK, complete with cymbal stands and a bass-drum pedal.

"The ride and crash cymbals and hi-hats are made by Zildjian, and were also used in the OK Computer sessions.

"To make a donation please use the link below where you can choose the amount to sponsor me.

http://www.waste.uk.com/SponsorPhil/index.html

"Please be sure to give us your full name to add to a visitors book. We will then use this to pick the drumkit winner.

"Thank you for your time and support.

"With blisters on my feet,

"Philip"