MIKE & SIMON's STORIES (SEE BELOW)

MIKE'S STORY

This year's marathon represents a tremendous personal achievement beset by circumstances of a family tragedy 

The 2018 London Marathon will see me run my 50th marathon - 21 years after running my first.  To Mark that milestone I will be joined in that wonderful atmospheric race by my son, son in law and nephew - all running together as a family - quite an unusual family outing

The fact that we will be raising money for the Samaritans reflects the tragedy for last year, in fact the very day after I completed the 2017 London Marathon, my 18 year old nephew took his own life.  Suddenly the issue of teenage mental health and the devastating, unbelievable depths that suicide brings to all who encounter it was real and raw.  though possibly slightly less raw a year on its catastrophic consequences are still with us all.  

this is why as a family we have decided to run for the Samaritans a charity which needs little explanation but whose involvement in suicide prevention, mental health and support is legendary.

So I am  asking you to dig deep and help us to support this very special charity and the families that would be left devastated without them. 

I truly appreciate  the the tremendous support I've received  over the previous 17 London Marathons- and at this enormous milestone, with my  knees having seen better days I  hope you  can be just that little bit more generous.

Please help my family  run together and avert the tragedy we have have experienced, from happening to others.

Thank you so much   MICHAEL

SIMON'S STORY (WITH RICHARD & HARRY):

The 2018 London Marathon is Mike's 50^th Marathon - 21 years after running his first.

A few years ago his slightly less athletic son-in-law Simon nonchalantly agreed to run a Marathon if Mike's was to do 50. He'd only run 22 at the time. Believing it an impossibility Simon confidently enjoyed the finer pleasures of life.

To his horror, he underestimated Mike's energy, enthusiasm and determination to reach such a tremendous personal goal. As the years passed Mike was racking up Marathons quicker than Simon could say "Salt Beef sandwich and chips" and by early 2016 It was looking increasingly likely this was going to happen. 

Then last year, in fact the day after the 2017 London Marathon, our 18 year old cousin (Mike's nephew) tragically took his own life.

Suddenly, the issue of teenage mental health and the devastating, unbelievable depths that suicide brings to all who encounter it was real and raw. 

This is why Harry and cousin Richard have now agreed to join too and run as a family for the Samaritans, a charity whose involvement in suicide prevention, mental health rescue and support is legendary. 

If our efforts can save one teenage life, save one family from the devastation of a suicide it will be all worthwhile.

So we are asking you to dig deep and help us to support this very special charity and the families that would be left devastated without them. 

Mike truly appreciates the the tremendous support he has received over the previous 17 London Marathons- and at this enormous milestone, with his knees having seen better days we hope you can be just that little bit more generous.

Please help us run together and avert the tragedy we have have experienced, from happening to others.

Thank you so much

 Simon, Harry  & Richard