Sense is a national Charity that supports people who are deafblind and those with complex disabilities, to be understood, connected and valued. They are there for every person who faces communication barriers in a world that relies on being able to see and hear well to be connected.

As for me? I’m lucky. I am merely deaf having become increasingly so over the last 15 years when my hearing deteriorated to the point that I now need super power hearing aids. Previously I was able to take advantage of the experiences of hearing and listening and I still retain a certain element of that purely through the help of modern digital technology.

Other people are not so lucky. Imagine being born without sight or hearing or developing these conditions.  How would you survive if that happened to you? Only with the help of kind, compassionate and caring individuals who work for many of the charities whose primary aim is to provide the support and assistance necessary so that every individual can make the very best of their life.

And these carers can only do this if they are funded properly and that is why I am asking you to support me in raising much needed funds for Sense. 

But why a marathon?

I really only started running regularly after I retired from my job as a solicitor (please don’t hold this against me!) when I turned 64. This coincided with getting a dog and the Covid lockdowns so out of sheer boredom and necessity I ended up running for miles up and down the Bridgewater Canal in Worsley. Luckily it’s very flat!

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to enter the Manchester marathon in April this year which happened to take place on the exact day of my 66th birthday. What a way to celebrate becoming a pensioner by running my first ever marathon! Most people thought I was quite mad and a lot asked if I was doing it for charity. I did consider it but was so unsure I could manage it that I didn’t want to take money under false pretences! 

I nearly didn’t even make it to the start line as I suffered an injury at the end of January and wasn’t able to train at all in February. 

But I did it and it was such a great feeling to take part and to finish that I got the bug and decided to do more. London is an iconic marathon event and a massive charity fundraiser.

So this time I am doing it for charity and not for myself so please help out and be as generous as you possibly can be to support this most deserving of charities.

Thanks very much.

Chris.

P.S. Watch  out for the headstand on the finishing line!