Dear all

I am running the London Marathon on 22 April 2012 for the first, (and I am sure), the only time. So far I have been able to keep to my training programme but as a 51 year old, overweight man who loves watching sport, (but who has sadly never been any better than  average at the taking part),  I can’t say it is easy.

What’s my motivation?

My eldest daughter Rosie is 21.  She has William’s Syndrome, which is a rare random disorder which has a one in 25,000 incidence in live births.  Like Down's Syndrome it is caused by an abnormality in chromosomes, and shows a wide variation in ability from person to person.  Typically, a WS individual will have learning disabilities, hyperacusis, (extreme sensitivity to certain noises), and poor gross motor skills, while some individuals are born with heart defects.  

But ...they also have great memories , are massively sociable, and the other side of the coin to the hyperacusis  is that they love their music!

Every summer  the William’s Syndrome Association of Ireland arranges a week long International Music Camp for WS adults from all over Europe at the Share Centre on the banks of Lough Erne in Northern Ireland. It truly is an inspiring, wonderful event. WS people get such pleasure from singing and performing; it is their chance to really shine; and shine they do.

However the Camp has recently been under funding threat due to the awful economic conditions. It would be such a shame if the Camp finished. The event creates such joy and pleasure for the attendees and all the volunteer helpers; it must be allowed to continue!

So I have decided to raise money to assist this little known but fabulous cause. Any cash I raise will go direct to the Share Centre in Northern Ireland to assist with the accommodation costs of the Camp. This will allow the good cause to take advantage of the UK Gift Aid Scheme, i.e. they can claim UK tax back on any donation.   

I appreciate there are a number of sponsorship requests made at this time of year but If you do want to support me via a donation please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Tim-Rosser.

I will be regularly updating the page with news about the Camp and overall training progress. Finally, I am not aiming to run a particular target time; I am, (just), aiming to finish! 

I would be so grateful if you can help.

Kind regards     

For more information about William’s Syndrome see http://www.williams-syndrome.org.uk/index.html

For more information about the Virgin London Marathon see http://www.virginlondonmarathon.com/