John Girdwood
John Girdwood - Great North Run 2005
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK’s Bobby Moore Fund
Story
POST RACE DE-BRIEF - 19 September
Nearly a disaster right at the last moment as I caught my first cold of the year mid last week. I even thought that I might not be able to run at all at one stage but copious amounts of Beechams Powders, honey and hot lemon, plus plenty of sleep saw me at the starting line yesterday. Some 2 hours 20 minutes and 20 seconds later, I crossed the finish line, which wasn't too bad considering the very hot and humid conditions, plus the cold, meaning that I couldn't run at my normal (not quite so slow) speed. The friendly people at the Cancer Research Marquee revived me with water, energy bars, fruit, chocolate and tea before we faced the long drive home down a very busy A1M and M1.
Many thanks to you all for sponsoring me and helping to raise a substantial sum for the Bobby Moore Fund. The thought that so many of you were prepared to donate so much certainly kept my tired old legs going throughout the full 13 miles, even when it seemed more like it was a full marathon rather than just a half.
If you have been meaning to get round to making a donation but haven't done so yet, or maybe you won the lottery over the weekend and would like to give some more, there is still time, as this site will remain open for a little while longer in order to maximise the funds raised for the Bobby Moore Fund. Thanks once again for your support everyone. Cheers! John UPDATE - 14 September Just a few more days to go and training has gone pretty well. Not too many aching joints and time to stock up on the pasta. If we can just find a garage still selling petrol to get us up to Newcastle, we'll be OK! Donations are coming in well, about half way to my target. If you have given already, many thanks. If you haven't made your donation or pledge yet, there is still time, even after the event, so please be as generous as you can. I'll report back again after the event, provided everything is still working OK!!! Cheers John ORIGINAL MESSAGE Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Having been pleased just to complete the 2004 Great North Run in one piece, I have decided to risk life and limb once more and to do it again. Hopefully, this time with a bit more training and experience, I'll improve on my time of around 2 hours 30 minutes, although that is not the main object of the day. I have decided to run on behalf of the Bobby Moore Fund, part of Cancer Research UK. For those of you either too young to know, or possibly too old to remember, Bobby Moore was Captain of England's victorious World Cup winning team at Wembley in 1966. He was also my great footballing hero, as Captain of West Ham in their glory years of the mid-1960's. As a young lad, I watched him playing at Upton Park and Wembley on many occasions, and tried to model my own game on his (we all have our dreams!!). Sadly, he died from bowel cancer in 1993, at the age of only 51, and his widow set up the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research in his memory. Over £4 million has been raised for research so far, but more is needed, and there are high success rates for treatment if the disease is identified in its early stages. So please be a hero, just like my hero Bobby Moore, and support me in this effort for a very worthwhile cause. Any amount, large or small, will be gratefully received, but please be as generous as you can. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me as the Bobby Moore Fund will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no extra cost to you. Please dig deep and sponsor me online. If you would rather not have received this mail, then I apologise for the intrusion. If, on the other hand, you should know somebody else who might look favourably on my efforts, then please pass on the details to them. Many thanks for your support. John Girdwood
Nearly a disaster right at the last moment as I caught my first cold of the year mid last week. I even thought that I might not be able to run at all at one stage but copious amounts of Beechams Powders, honey and hot lemon, plus plenty of sleep saw me at the starting line yesterday. Some 2 hours 20 minutes and 20 seconds later, I crossed the finish line, which wasn't too bad considering the very hot and humid conditions, plus the cold, meaning that I couldn't run at my normal (not quite so slow) speed. The friendly people at the Cancer Research Marquee revived me with water, energy bars, fruit, chocolate and tea before we faced the long drive home down a very busy A1M and M1.
Many thanks to you all for sponsoring me and helping to raise a substantial sum for the Bobby Moore Fund. The thought that so many of you were prepared to donate so much certainly kept my tired old legs going throughout the full 13 miles, even when it seemed more like it was a full marathon rather than just a half.
If you have been meaning to get round to making a donation but haven't done so yet, or maybe you won the lottery over the weekend and would like to give some more, there is still time, as this site will remain open for a little while longer in order to maximise the funds raised for the Bobby Moore Fund. Thanks once again for your support everyone. Cheers! John UPDATE - 14 September Just a few more days to go and training has gone pretty well. Not too many aching joints and time to stock up on the pasta. If we can just find a garage still selling petrol to get us up to Newcastle, we'll be OK! Donations are coming in well, about half way to my target. If you have given already, many thanks. If you haven't made your donation or pledge yet, there is still time, even after the event, so please be as generous as you can. I'll report back again after the event, provided everything is still working OK!!! Cheers John ORIGINAL MESSAGE Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Having been pleased just to complete the 2004 Great North Run in one piece, I have decided to risk life and limb once more and to do it again. Hopefully, this time with a bit more training and experience, I'll improve on my time of around 2 hours 30 minutes, although that is not the main object of the day. I have decided to run on behalf of the Bobby Moore Fund, part of Cancer Research UK. For those of you either too young to know, or possibly too old to remember, Bobby Moore was Captain of England's victorious World Cup winning team at Wembley in 1966. He was also my great footballing hero, as Captain of West Ham in their glory years of the mid-1960's. As a young lad, I watched him playing at Upton Park and Wembley on many occasions, and tried to model my own game on his (we all have our dreams!!). Sadly, he died from bowel cancer in 1993, at the age of only 51, and his widow set up the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research in his memory. Over £4 million has been raised for research so far, but more is needed, and there are high success rates for treatment if the disease is identified in its early stages. So please be a hero, just like my hero Bobby Moore, and support me in this effort for a very worthwhile cause. Any amount, large or small, will be gratefully received, but please be as generous as you can. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me as the Bobby Moore Fund will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no extra cost to you. Please dig deep and sponsor me online. If you would rather not have received this mail, then I apologise for the intrusion. If, on the other hand, you should know somebody else who might look favourably on my efforts, then please pass on the details to them. Many thanks for your support. John Girdwood