Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

 

After many years of consideration and deliberation I have finally decided to don my running shoes and ultra-stylish lycra jogging bottoms and run the London Marathon on the 22nd of April this year!

My desire to complete the agonising 26.2 mile course stems firstly from a strong, long-standing urge to beat my dad’s 1984 time of 4 hours, 54 mins and 58 secs!  And secondly (and more importantly!) wishing to raise as much money as possible for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust!

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust or CHECT (formerly known as the Retinablastoma Society) aims to provide information and support to individuals and families with Retinablastoma (Rb), raise awareness of Rb in the wider community, raise funds for research into this disease and influence professional bodies to ensure optimum services for Rb patients.

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust provided invaluable advice and support to my sister and our family during Alex’s illness.  Although it was a very hard time for all of us, it would have been a lot more daunting if it wasn’t for CHECT helping us through, every step of the way! We owe them a debt of gratitude and running the marathon on their behalf is just my little way of saying thank you.

I have already been training in earnest for 10 weeks, running 4 times a week through the wind, cold and rain, and surviving my first (and hopefully last!) injury.  By the time marathon day arrives I will have run over 500 miles through London, West Kent and Warrnambool, Australia in my one and only attempt to beat my dad’s time!

2012 brings the 25 anniversary of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust and my aim is to raise at least £2500 as part of my personal marathon effort to help them towards their £25,000 London Marathon fundraising target!  I know economic times are hard, but I would be so grateful for any support you can give me to help me reach this mammoth amount of money!

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.

As well as monetary donations I would also greatly appreciate any support you are able to offer me on the day!  I’m sure it will give me a massive boost to see you all cheering me on at the 16 mile mark when I know I still have 10 horrible miles to go!

Thank you in advance for all your support!  I hope to do all of you, and the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust proud (whilst of course thrashing my dad’s time!)

All my love and best wishes for the coming year,

Nicola xxx