22.11.11 - Hi Everyone - Presented a cheque for the offline donations (£1420.00) to Alzheimers Society, Wirral today and it felt fantastic doing so!  I am pictured with Sue & Fran from the society. They were fantastic with their support and helped me enourmously with my fundraising.  It has been a fantastic experience for me and one that I will never forget and I am so grateful for everyone's support.  I am so happy that you were all a part of it and I am really looking forward to the next challenge! 

09.10.11 - Well, after 16 weeks of training the day arrived.  Race was supposed to start at 9.30 but there was a delay and it didn't get underway til 10.30 ish. I was like a coiled spring, raring to go! The course was difficult but very interesting as it started in the wirral, then through the mersey tunnel and into Liverpool, taking in the famous sights, including the famous waterfront. I had quite alot of support along the route as friends and family spent the day getting to various parts of the course and it was great to see their faces at various miles.  I put my name on my running vest and the support I got from the people of Liverpool was amazing!  Everyone was shouting my name and encouraging me to keep going.  The people of Liverpool came out to support the runners and did their City proud.  The course was fantastic, the weather was brill and I ran it in a time I did not imagine!  3 hours, 40 mins and 29 secs!! I said 4 hours but my personal goal was 3 hours 50 mins!  It still hasn't sunk in yet. More importantly, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of you ALL - Over £3000 for the Alzheimers Society is fantastic and you should all be very of yourselves for donating.  I for one am very proud of YOU! Thank you so much X     Link to race results.  I made the first page!  4th from bottom-http://www.tdl.ltd.uk/results.php?checked=1&race_id=917&submit_x=136

 

03.10.11 - Hi Everyone - A big thank you to LFC for giving me the opportunity to collect at the ground on the 24/9/11.  The supporters (Home and Away) were very generous and the stewards couldn't have looked after us any better.  Also, a big thank you to everyone who gave up their time and came along to help out.  I am so grateful to you all.  You were fantastic!  Well only 6 sleeps until M-Day and I am nervous, anxious and excited, all at the same time.  This week, sees my training runs taper down and I have to "carb up" which I think means that I have to eat as many  Doughnuts, cream cakes, biscuits and chocolate as I can! really looking forward to it.  Just hope it's a dry day, not only for the runners but all the supporters to. Thanks again everyone...I couldn't do this without any of you! X

 

16/09/11 - Hi Everyone.  Just to let you know I applied for a ground collection at Liverpool Football Club, 4 weeks ago and guess what!  My application was successful and I am collecting at every turnstile on Saturday 24th September - Liverpool V Wolves!  I am so happy and so grateful to LFC for this opportunity.  I require 35 volunteers to maximise the potential so I need lots of people to volunteer.This will be a fantastic day for everyone involved, raising lots of money for a worthy cause!  And lets hope Liverpool get a win, sorry wolves fans!  Anyone wishing to help can contact me for full details by emailing me at mark.franey@ntlworld.com  Thank you. X

12/9/11 - Hi Everyone - ASDA store collection (10/9/11) went really well.  Tigger & Co raised £650.00!  I am so pleased.  Big thank you to my wife Karen, My mum Sue and my sister Vicki for their help and support on the day.  Can't thank you enough! Weather was fantastic for us too, so it got a bit hot inside the Tigger suit, but it was worth every penny.   Check out the photo!

5/9/11 - Hi Everyone. Completed the Blackpool Half Marathon yesterday in 1hour 37mins and 56 secs!!  I am so pleased with this time as I wanted to beat 1hour 45mins.  The last 3 miles were unbelievably hard but my wife Karen and father in law John were there to spur me on! Their support and my hard work in training really paid off and I just hope I can keep it going until the marathon.  Weather was fantastic in blackpool (if anything too hot to run in!). Check out my photos as I have added a few from the race.  Also, check out the results page.  I finshed 78th.  My number was 64 and after the race that's exactly how old I felt!http://www.ukroadraces.info/results/2011/hilth.htm

2/9/2011 - Hi Everyone. Well only 5 weeks to go to the marathon and I'm starting to get nervous now!  Training is going really well.  My training schedule says that I have to do a 22 mile run in 2 weeks but I am undecided whether to go this high.  Don't want to risk injury, when the race is so close.  As part of my prep, I am racing this Sunday in the Blackpool half marathon.  I am hoping to beat 1hour 45 mins so I will let you know how I get on.  Race starts at 10a.m so hoping to finish by 11.45am and then get on the fun fair!!!! I am also collecting outside ASDA Bromborough (Wirral) on September 10th from 9.00am onwards.  For those who live near, watch out as there will be a Tigger about (I'm doing it in fancy dress)! Thank you to all who keep sending me messages of support! It means alot and it is keeping me motivated.

1/8/2011 - Hi Everyone.  Training going really well. I'm now running 4 nights a week (Dedication or what!) Did an 18 mile run yesterday.  This is the longest run I've ever done. It was very tough indeed.  Some of your song choices really helped and some of them made me want to jump in the mersey! Only joking :):)

If you want to see the Liverpool Marathon route watch this video.  I'm outta breath just watching it! http://vimeo.com/19783217

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In 1998, my mother-in-law, Winnie, was diagnosed with Alzheimers, she was 57 years old. Winnie sadly passed away in March 2010 as a direct result of this illness, aged just 69. Winnie was a wonderful woman who is very much missed by all who knew her and especially her family. For me, it was a privilege to have been part of her life and it was an honour to have been part of the care team that looked after her for 12 years.

Running a marathon has been an ambition of mine for a very long time and this year Liverpool, is hosting it's first marathon since 1992. I thought it made perfect sense to enter the event and fulfill my ambition and raise as much money as I can for Alzheimer's Society and help people, who have this terrible disease. 

Having witnessed first-hand what this illness does and how it affects people on a daily basis, I understand the necesary support and help that people living with dementia and their families desperately need. 

Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain and can affect anyone; symptoms include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding. It is progressive and eventually terminal.

There are 750,000 people with dementia in the UK

One in three people over 65 will die with dementia

You may know of someone who has the illness or who has just been diagnosed. You may know someone who is caring for a relative with the illness or you may be a carer yourself. If so, you will understand that this charity needs as much help and support as possible.

I have just started my 16 week training schedule for the marathon.  I am excited and apprehensive at the same time!  But with your support and generosity, I know I can do it and together, WE can make a difference to people, less fortunate than ourselves!

So please dig deep and donate now. Remember every penny makes a difference, no matter how large or small your donation. AND DON'T FORGET TO GIFT AID IT!  Please forward this page on to as many people as you can.

Thank you so much for supporting me and this cause. I will keep you updated on how my training is going throughout the coming months.  And please, any advice or words of encouragement will be gratefully accepted!

Mark

xx