WE MADE IT !!  What an amazing day. We started right at the back with our numbers in the 54,000s amongst all the Banana men, Rhinos, Tigers and even some people of skis! We came in under 6 hours and managed to beat the Wombles! Did a good half marathon to Tower Bridge but then the injuries certainly surfaced and we had to walk mile 15 to 21 but some painkillers and a massage helped us grit our teeth and run the final 5 miles with huge support from all the amazing people who came to watch and cheers us on. Jazz bands, drummers and dancers entertained along the route along with a runner dressed as Elvis with music playing from a machine strapped to his back. Jelly babies, Jaffa cakes and even the offer of a cheese sandwich kept fuel levels up.

This really was quite an emotional day to remember and made all the better by the support and generosity you have all given us. A BIG THANK YOU.  Photos to follow ......

Best wishes

Oliver

 

23/04/2010 Update:

Only 2 days to go any to be honest a few nervous stomach jitters have set in. Roger thankfully is back from the States now and his hip seems better. Likewise my left knee is better but we both know we will have to take it easy to survive the humid 22 degrees!!

I'm pleased to let you know that we have managed to beat our revised target with over £77,500 raised to date (excluding gift aid) which is quite fantastic.

Should be a great day and THANK YOU all for such magnificent encouragement and support.

Please see: www.justgiving.com/blindasabat our other donation site.

Oliver

 

30/03/2010 Update:

Feeling a bit like Eddie Izzard with all those aches and pains. Muscle healed but left knee giving some concern now! 

 So ..... under a month to go and our combined target of £50,000 supporting the exciting gene research of Prof Ali at Moorfields hospital has been reached with a curent total of £67,000 (excluding gift aid which will push it right up). We are so happy to have received such kindness and generosity to help people with Retinitis Pigmentosa. These additional funds will allow the research to continue and open the door for the real prospect of finding a 'cure'.

A site of interest: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/161291/The-race-to-save-my-family-s-sight

and www.justgiving.com/blindasabat our other donation site.

Thank you.

Oliver

 

9/03/2010 Update:

Bad News / Happy News.

Have had to stop running for a few days as I pulled a muscle. Thankfully it is healing rapidly but it is a big warning to me!  Happy news - we have reached £60,000 now. Have had some kind people we don't know donating having read an article in the newspaper about our efforts: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/161291/The-race-to-save-my-family-s-sight

THANK YOU. THANK YOU for your continued support.

Best wishes

Oliver

 

27/02/2010 Update:

A good week. Did three 5 mile runs and just done a 16 mile one ... absolutely 'cream crackered'! So following the regime in the excellent book 'The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer'. Not sure if I reached THE FLOW - when the body and mind are perfectly synchronized in running - or was I rather dehydrated!! Anyway, looking back four months I could not even run a mile so all going well.

Once again THANK YOU for your continued support, encouragement and generous donations. Hugely appreciated.

Do see our other fundraising website: www.justgiving.com/blindasabat

Oliver

 

20/02/2010 Update:

Managed another 1/2 marathon today. Where is the Aspirin? Thank you all again for such wonderful support which really does keep us going. Can't quite believe we have both almost reached our fundraising targets.

Big THANK YOU

Oliver

 

12/02/2010  Update:

Well we're doing really well and are so grateful for all the encouragement and support we are getting. Together my brother Roger www.justgiving.com/blindasabat and I have been able to raise over £50,000 which is fantastic. We have just received a very nice letter of support from Professor Robin Ali whose research we are supporting (see below in red).

Please do keep spreading the word. Training is going well. We have both done the equivalent of a half marathon now! Almost killed us but it will get easier ... so I'm told!!

Best wishes

Oliver

 

Dear Roger and Oliver

 

 

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited condition that causes blindness. Unfortunately there is no 'cure' whch can slow down the progressive tunnel vision and loss of sight.

As many of you know I am an Ophthalmologist and RP runs in my family. Over the past decade there have been several breakthroughs in the genetics of RP. This together with the very exciting research in artificial retinas (the light sensitive part of the eye) means I can honestly say that soon there is the very real prospect of helping those severely affected by giving them back the gift of sight. This is only possible with the continued support for this research which will touch the lives of thousands.

 

Please do help as much as you can.

Many Thanks

Olly

 

 

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