Dear friend,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving fundraising page for Helen & Douglas House.

I'm sure many of you know about JustGiving, donating through this website 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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

I'm sure all of you know about me; running a marathon is an unlikely ambition and a huge challenge. But I'm motivated by a wonderful charity that provides, and will continue to provide, care and support for my young nephew and godson Jamie, as well as for many, many more young people with life-shortening conditions.

Helen & Douglas House is a registered charity providing respite, emergency and end of life care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions, as well as help and support for the whole family. The two hospices are bright, vibrant and positive places where the emphasis is on living life to the full, even when that life may be short. For more information please visit www.helenanddouglas.org.uk. 

I am aiming to raise £1,500 for the charity through running in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. This is only a small part of the £4.5 million it costs to run Helen & Douglas house each year - 90% of which is funded by voluntary contributions. However, small amounts make a huge difference: in running music therapy sessions for children (£30); in employing a nurse to provide one-to-one care to a child for one day (£105); to run a siblings group for the brothers and sisters of children that stay at Helen & Douglas House (£300); or to provide key medical supplies (from simple bandages to specific equipment).

I would be enormously grateful if you are able to dig deep and sponsor my marathon run. Every penny counts for Helen & Douglas House, and every penny will really help spur me on to the finish line.

Thanks for your time and for your generosity,

Will Macfarlane