We all know how important it is to stay healthy and a big part of making sure we achieve that goal is to get some regular exercise.

But while it can be a good idea to try and incorporate some exercise into your everyday life – letting the lift go in favour of using the stairs and walking to work instead of catching the bus, for example - you will see even better results if you actually take some time out to get some proper exercise.

Every single day there are people up and down the country who get up early and go for a run before getting ready for work. It’s tempting to think these people are mad but when you start running yourself you’ll soon see and feel the benefits it has to offer.

One of the main benefits of this particular sport is that it opens up a whole new way of helping others. Many of us simply set up a direct debit whenever we want to give some cash to our favourite charity and donating a small amount every month can certainly do a lot of good.

But what about going a step further? If you find you really enjoy running, why not sign yourself up to raise some cash by taking part in some charity runs? These are a great way to get out and about and run in the company of others – which makes a wonderful change if you usually go running on your own. You will also be able to raise funds for a worthwhile cause – some people end up being sponsored to run by their friends, family and workmates, which can raise a lot of money.

It’s a good idea to make sure you are fully fit and able to take part on the day itself, especially if you are fairly new to running. Try and find out where the course will be and go and explore it if possible before the day of the race arrives. Even though these charity events tend to be known as fun runs - rather than being run against the clock – you will struggle if you are not fit enough to run and complete the course.

If it is longer than the usual length of run you are used to, build up slowly in the weeks leading up to the event to make sure you are able to complete the course on the day. Don’t forget you may need to run in the rain or in cold weather, so be prepared for whatever the weather may throw at you.

A regular running schedule can be extremely enjoyable. It keeps you fit, helps you to lose weight and it also improves your overall stamina. Combining all this with the opportunity to help a worthwhile charity by raising some money, meeting new people and having fun all at the same time makes it even better.