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Hi my name is David Noakes and i'm a councillor for Cathedrals ward in the London Borough of Southwark

I'm attempting to run my first marathon as part of my "Fit for 50" campaign, having recently turned 50 years of age, and at the same time raise money for the National Autistic Society, on behalf of Cllr Kath Whittam, the Mayor of Southwark. 

Kath has very generously agreed that as well as running for the National Autistic Society I can also run for three charities in my own council ward. These are Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), Blackfriars Settlement and Age UK Lewisham and Southwark. 

Following the horrendous attack on Rekar Ahmed, the Kurdish Iranian student, who was viciously attacked by a mob of up 20 other teenagers and young men and women in their 20's in Croydon after he said he was an asylum seeker, the Mayor of Southwark and my other 3 chosen local charities have very kindly agreed to allow me to donate up to 25% of what I raise to Rekar Ahmed. 

Rekar has been left with a fractured spine and a brain haemorrhage and it is unclear at this stage what lasting physical and mental damage has been inflicted on him. 

The true horrors of this attack have left me wanting to do something positive for him and I would like to try and replace his memories of the terrifying brutal assault he received with memories of the kindness and goodwill of strangers, who truly represent the views and actions of the vast majority of people who live in this country.

With the addition of fundraising for Rekar I have agreed to divide the money I raise as follows

£0-1,500 The first £1,500 goes to the National Autistic Society

£1,501-3,000 The next £1,500 is shared between 3 local charities in equal amounts-Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST), Blackfriars Settlement and Age UK Lewisham and Southwark 

£3,001-£5,000 Is divided equally between all 4 charities

If I hit my upper target of £5,000 therefore this would mean £2,000 for the National Autistic Society and £1,000 each for BOST, Blackfriars Settlement and Age UK. These figures would be varied to give up to 25% to Rekar in discussion with the charities.

I appreciate there are many amazing charities and good causes to support but every donation to my chosen charities will encourage and inspire me to make it to the starting line and hopefully complete my first (and probably last!) London Marathon!

Thank you for your support-it really does make a difference.

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