Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I.M.Ps Oxfordshire (Injury Minimization Programme for Schools) is an Oxford Hospitals Charity funded programme that works with local primary schools to ensure that around 5000 children / year have the opportunity to learn life saving and emergency (first aid) skills as well as provide them with knowledge on accident prevention. Teachers in Oxfordshire schools are able to use I.M.Ps online resources to educate children in class about safer risk taking with the I.M.Ps team delivering practical classes on how to administer CPR, the recovery position, what to do if someone’s choking, first aid for cuts and burns etc and how to use an AED. (Defibrillator). As someone who has been nursing for over 20 years and also regularly volunteers by listening to children read in the local school, the work done by I.M.Ps is so important and should be able to continue. It is clear that the charity offers children an amazing opportunity and if it can save just one life or help a child avoid getting hurt then that is hugely valuable. Sadly I.M.Ps is only partially funded and relies heavily on fundraising and charity donations, so I would be hugely grateful for any donations you can spare. 

I only started running in late 2019 as a means to keep myself busy once my youngest started school. I couldn’t run for a bus as the saying goes but thought I’d give ‘Couch to 5k’ a try ….. I discovered that not only did my fitness improve, but surprisingly, I actually enjoyed it, giving me a chance to get some much needed ‘me time’ as well as improving my everyday mood and mental health. 

I started running 3 times a week just 5-10K and in 2021 after some gentle persuasion I entered the ballot for the Oxford half. Again despite my doubts i completed it in 2:07 but vowed to never run one again. As for a whole marathon, despite my amazing brother having completed multiple marathons including London itself, I have never even contemplated the thought EVER. Instead I watch the London marathon unfold on the TV every year (and live this past October) with awe and mutter empty promises that if i ever did it I’d crawl across the finish line. 

But …. 

Thanks to Sharon (my annoyingly persuasive friend and running partner who unexpectedly got a ballot place) and the fab charity I.M.Ps who provided the opportunity, I have rather stupidly agreed to attempt to RUN, WALK and EVEN CRAWL (if need be) to get round the 26.2 miles of the world famous London marathon. I’m under no illusion that i will actually be able to ‘run’ even half that distance right now but i will certainly give the training my best shot . 

Thanks for reading

Katrina

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