The main reason I have decided to raise some money for Help For Heroes is my brother-in-law is in the army. Gareth is a Bomb Desposal Expert. He is in Afghanistan at the moment doing a 7 month tour. He has recently being in the Daily Star Sunday Newspaper giving an interview. We are all very proud of the job Gareth and his comrades are doing. They put themselves in danger everyday for the good of us back home. So that inspired me to get up off my backside and to start training for the 2010 Potteries Half Marathon.

I started training at the beginning of February, I have just managed to do 10K in about 1hr. There has been one or two mornings where I have been in some pain. But I feel that is a small price to pay considering the price some of Gareth's friends have paid.

When I hear another soldier has died on the news it sends a chill down my spine. Gareth is never far from our thoughts. Jeanette my wife and myself talk about him a lot and worry how he must feel being miles away from his family.

Another way I am going to try and raise some money is to rope some family and friends to go to our local Morrisons stores and stand at the end of each till, put shopping in bags for customers and collect donations.

 So please dig deep and donate what you can.

                                                                                  Many Thanks,

                                                                                          Carl.

P.S. The photo at the top of the page is Gareth and myself trying to get Jeanette wet on the family holiday last year at Dawlish Warren. It was a brilliant holiday, a laugh a minute from the moment we got there to the minute we left. We are looking forward to doing the same later this year.

 

5th june 2010.

Today Jayne (Gaz's Wife), Mandy (Gaz's Mum), Gill (My Mum), Ange ( My Cousin) And myself have been to Morrisons to pack shopping bags for customers. We have raised a whopping £641.00. With online and offline donations we have raised £1358.00 so far.

Other donations have come from friends, family and work colleagues. Also my Mum has take many collection tins to Sheila's Household Discount shop on Smallthorne. They also raffle off an Easter Egg and raised £150.00 for the cause.

Gaz has been back for his R & R it was brill to see him and have a couple of pints with him. We had a family BBQ, a few more drinks then serious training. The half marathon is 8 days away so I will let you know how I do.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

 

13th june 2010.

I have done the Potteries Arf Marathon today. I cannot believe I managed to do it in 2hrs 10mins. The weather was perfect, my support was brilliant. Mandy and Trev, my mother-in-law and father-in-law were 1st support with water, towel and jelly babies. Then 2nd support were Louis and Sam Hiney with some more water, towel and jelly babies cheers lads. Jayne Wood, Kate, Megan, Jeanette Newton, Emma and Ellie were my 3rd support. Auntie Winnie, Uncle Brian and Ange were my 4th and finally my Dad was my last. Without all their help I may not have done as well, so thank you very much.

13th june 2010 7:52pm.

I am now having a beer, my legs are aching like mad but it has all been worth it. All I want now is to have a few beers in The Miners with my brother-in-law Staff Sgt Wood. Gaz we are all so proud of you and your team and all the armed forces. Just come home safe mate we all miss you!