**Scroll to bottom of this section for extra donation information and updates**

For those that know me, I enjoy running [sometimes]. I run for Erme Valley Harriers in Ivybridge, and on the 25th April 2010, I’m running the first Virgin London Marathon.

Normally I just run for myself – for my own personal challenges, aiming to improve my PB’s or beat my rivals. But this year I’m running to support St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.

My Grandad was in St Luke’s Hospice in in 2002 and I remember the difference it made for him being cared for by the wonderful people at St Luke’s. April is the anniversary month of his passing so running in London in April is a timely reminder for me that St Luke's is a worthy cause.

But also, a few weeks ago I was chatting to a friend of mine, John McMillan, during a round of golf and he was telling me about his mum and sadly how unwell she is. She has cancer and it made me realise that St Luke’s Hospice is there for people every day of every week and not just when my family needed it.

My conversation with John really moved me and inspired me to run the marathon in aid of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. 

I’m not very comfortable asking people to donate money but this isn’t really about me. I’m running for someone I don’t know and someone I may never meet but I know that any money we raise together will help that person receive care from St Luke’s Hospice.

My target of £500 will fund one bed, for one person, for one day.

You’re reading this either because you know me, or you recognise the cause I’m supporting – please leave a small donation before you leave.

This is for my Grandad, and for John’s mum. Thank you

Joe

27 March 2010 - Thanks to my mum, brother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and nan for getting the ball rolling. May it pick up speed towards our target quicker than i can during the marathon.

27 March 2010 -Thanks to the wonderful golfers at Sparkwell Golf club who have donated £85.00 with a further £50 likely in next couple of weeks.

28 - 29 March 2010 - Nic and Doug - appreciate you making the effort. It'll spur me on to great things.....hopefully. 

31 March 2010 - Also thanks to Amanda Earl who is canvassing people across the country - go, Amanda. :) 

9 April 2010 - Graham, Lee, Ivor and Colin  -friends from the HASSRA golf society. Much appreciated for the very generous donations...and with no arm twisting. Who ever says golfers only spend their money on the latest golf equipment...not you Graham by the look of your irons. [grin]...and Ivor, sorry no giant bananas for me. St Lukes don't have running bananas with their logo on...just a plain white vest. I'll have a word and see if they can get one ready for you to run in mate.

9 April 2010 - Frank, thanks fellow runner. I hope you get over your obstacles for the Plymouth Half. Thanks also for the demonstration on healthy eating...very interesting but rather strange..If you ease off the cakes, so will I..

9 April 2010 - Paul Stephens, thanks for the superb off line donation. Now you have your first competive one mile race under your belt, i expect you to step up to the next level...say a mile and a half..[grin]..and Anne Luke, a colleague at work, probably one of the most generous people i know...nothing seems too much trouble for you. Thank you.

12 April 2010 - Cheers Gary for the donation - i reckon you should do Taunton marathon next April. I've heard the guys talk about your stamin on the football pitch..up and back all game long like a wildebeast!! Do it.

14 April 2010 - Vic and Wendy. Thanks for the £20 offline donation.  I can't really say anything very witty seeing as you are my in-laws.

14 April 2010 - Russ and Katy - runners from Erme Valley Athletics club. Thank you both but I refuse to wear fancy dress....ever since i was cruising along at about 13 miles in the iconic Grizzly race only to see Dennis the Menace glide easily by....oh that was you Russ wasn't it....

15 April 2010 - Thanks to my wonderful colleagues at work who i suspect were targeted by emails from our HASSRA team [that's the problem i guess with being on a mailing list.] Sarah. Gill, Dan, Alison, Liz, Natalie and Theresa - you're very thoughtful to have pledged your hard earned money - that'll be this years bonus spent then.!! Keep running Natalie.

15 April 2010 - Special mention to Shirley and her Dartmeet colleagues who have pledged £48.00 - unbeleivable Shirley how you managed to get that, whilst having a couple of weeks off. Thank you everyone.

16 April 2010 - 19 April 2010 - Maria, Carolann and Suzanne - thanks for supporting St Lukes and for giving me extra determination.

20 April 2010 -  Dave, David, Maryrose, Cathy - Another example generous work colleagues. thank you all, and Dave [W] said to me on last week, that he couldn't run so sponsoring was all he could do. Well i challenge you all to try running..or walking...or maybe skipping. You can do it!!

Neil Hunt - thanks mate, you do realise that you've already put your name down on one of my sheets of paper? More than generous mate..and well done on your golfing victory today [tuesday 27 April].

Claire Jones, Dinah Cheverton and Kent all runners from Erme Valley and very supportive on our runs together. Very positive people and nice to run with you.

22 April 2010 - Jan Goard - thanks for the donation - how did you get the page though. Mysterious how word spreads amongst former colleagues. Hope you survive the fantasy Football.. i need team selections like you to stop me going down. lol

 

22 April 2010 - Fiona and Sarah [and Steve] - thanks. i guess you have connections to St Lukes - it really made me feel special running knowing that it would help. Thank you

22 April 2010 - Mr Fox - Erme Valley runner and Magazine editor - thanks for the donation. Surprised i didn't see you popping up on around the course taking pictures for the Erme Valley magazine....or was that you wearing the official bibs?.

22 April 2010 -  Ali and Tim - my best friends sailing around France - hope tim got the generator working in time to get the TV on. Drive safely...you know what those frenchies are like.

 

25 April - the day of the race. How many of you woke up, flicked on the TV hoping it was the Andrew Marr show and instead, reminded you that i was running. Well i appreciate it Karen, Nicola and Carol. Combination of work colleagues old and new and running colleagues old and new. Hope you spent the whole mornin tryign to see me...why do people do that ? :)

 

25 April - prob after the race. Dad, Neil and TJ [other wise known as Tony]. Did you all wait until i had actually completed the race before you donated? ...cheek of it..have faith. lol. but thanks for the extra donations.

Loads of updates to do - will try and add before leavign for London.