THANK YOU!

A massive thank you to everyone who has so generously donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge and also for all the lovely messages and kind words of support in our Marathon endeavours!  It has been an amazingly life-affirming experience and we have both  been blown-away with how generous and kind so many of you are. 

So how did we get on? Well we both finished - Matt in 3:45:23 and me in 4:26:48. As my training had gone very well this time I had felt sub 4:10 was in my reach but on the day it was not to be.  I struggled, like so many in the heat and even by 8 miles was aware that it was feeling harder than usual (being far more practised at running distance in the cold!). I held it together until 15 miles and by 18-21 I frankly didn't even care about my time I just tried to keep going.  The balmy conditions (20c - although felt hotter) brought out record crowds and the support from the Hospice and especially the crowds along the Embankment helped enormously; for me the last 3 miles was an incredibly emotional experience. I was over-joyed to cross the finish line and after shaking hands with Richard Branson (along with a few thousand other runners!) I met up with Matt and our local running friends in Horse Guard Parade.  Matt said that he had a good run and strangely seemed largely un-affected by the heat!

It was a great day and thank you all so much - we are sure that the Arthur Rank Hospice will put the funds to good use. A special big 'thank you' to all at Cambridge Design Partnership for their generosity and for CDP matching the amazing £537 raised!

Very sadly our friend John passed away peacefully on Friday 22nd April. I am so thankful that I was able to visit him in the Hospice a few days after the marathon and I know he was pleased and touched that so many of his friends from St John's had donated and supported our fund raising efforts for the Hospice. John was a very charismatic person and hugely popular - he will be very much missed by us and all his very many friends.  He was also an incredibly brave man.  Our thoughts and love go to Catherine, Jessica and Esme.xxx

If you haven't donated and would still like to it is not too late.  Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate.

Thank you all again,

Much love,

Anne & Matt