<p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">Hello there and thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the <strong>2011 Bupa Great North Run</strong>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">As many of you will know, this is my <em>third</em> Great North Run. (The medals are certainly mounting up - I'll be needing a display cabinet soon.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">So far I have run the 13.1 miles in warm sunshine (my first year) and torrential rain with intermittent drizzle (last year).&nbsp;&nbsp;Who knows what this year will bring?&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">Not that it matters &ndash; the Great North Run (as I may have mentioned in the past) has a wonderful, friendly atmosphere.&nbsp;&nbsp;And it is, of course, the world&rsquo;s most iconic half- marathon.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I may have mentioned that in the past, too.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; margin-right: 7.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; margin-right: 7.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This year I&rsquo;m running for AEA &ndash; Action on Elder Abuse.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The charity works&nbsp;in the&nbsp;UK and Ireland&nbsp;and focuses&nbsp;exclusively on protecting, and preventing,&nbsp;the&nbsp;abuse of vulnerable&nbsp;older adults.&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; margin-right: 7.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; margin-right: 7.5pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; line-height: 15.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">AEA was established in 1993 by practitioners from health and social care, academics and representatives of the voluntary sector. &nbsp;All were concerned about the lack of information and assistance for those who were abused or were at risk of abusing.&nbsp; Today, AEA addresses abuse within people's own homes (by family, friends or paid staff), within sheltered housing, and within care homes and hospitals.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">I know some of you are aware of the excellent work of AEA and may have heard Richard Briers presenting their very moving Radio 4 Appeal back in April. &nbsp;But if you're unfamiliar with the work of the charity, please take a few minutes to look at their website : <strong><a title="www.elderabuse.org.uk" href="http://www.elderabuse.org.uk" target="_blank">www.elderabuse.org.uk</a></strong></span><strong><a title="www.elderabuse.org.uk" href="http://www.elderabuse.org.uk" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">Then click back here to&nbsp;sponsor me (even just a few pennies and please remember to tick 'Gift Aid' if appropriate). &nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You can also leave your messages of support or - more likely - ridicule, as I take on the challenge of running 13.1 miles in the company of various superheroes, children&rsquo;s tv characters, and soap stars! &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">Once again, many thanks, all. &nbsp;It's much appreciated.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;; color: black;" lang="EN-GB">Christine</span></p>