Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am running the Paris Marathon to raise money for Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign and the IA (the ileostomy and internal pouch Support Group). I have wanted to do a marathon for many years but after training for two months it is unlikely that I will ever do another one! It has been far tougher than I imagined but it is well worth it for these charities. I am aiming to run without stopping for 5 hours and hope to stagger over the finishing line at around that time!!

 Please note if you want to donate to IA (the ileostomy and internal pouch Support Group) please go to  

http://www.justgiving.com/michaelrthompson1/

'Just Giving' can't put 2 charities on one page! 

I have been involved in developing bowel cancer symptom advice for patients and professionals for over 20 years based, on studies on 30,000 patients with and without cancer. This research has been greatly supported by Lynn's Bowel Cancer Campaign set up by the TV Consumer Champion Lynn Faulds Wood who survived advanced bowel cancer. We have now developed a web-based symptom checker which we hope will enable patients with cancer see their GPs more promptly and, almost as importantly' reassure the great majority of patients that it is safe to self-treat without seeing their GPs!

I have been involved with the IA for nearly 30 years both locally in Portsmouth, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and now as chairman of the Trustees of the Ileostomy Association of Great Britain Trust and of the Research Committee. The association plays an essential role, not only helping individual patients who need major surgery and their families, but also making sure the voice of patients with stomas is clearly heard by politicians and health providers. There are thousands of people every year requiring stomas who can be greatly inspired by visits from patients who have been through their experience, and are the best evidence for their future well-being and hopes of returning to a normal life.   

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.