Hi Everyone, Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am competing in the Brighton Marathon this year (10th April 2011).

Originally running a marathon seemed an easy thing to do, especially when someone else suggests you join them in entering the event (Thanks Dan Robson!!!).

After months of training, a 10k run before Christmas, a half Marathon at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago (Time completed 2hrs 18mins - Pictures to follow), and training in all temperatures and conditions, i am now only a few weeks away from the big day.

I have chosen to run for Help for Heroes (H4H) Charity as i have friends and now family that are involved in our different forces, they put their lives on the line every day to protect us, i have heard the stories of what its like to serve on the front line, and i have seen some of the resulting images of our troops coming home injured or worse when serving for us.

When looking at the Help for Heroes page, the key messages that stood out for me where the following: 

1. It's about 'the blokes': those men and women of our Armed Forces who have been wounded in the service of our country since 9/11.

2. H4H provides direct, practical support for our wounded. We fund projects and initiatives that make a real difference to the lives of our wounded heroes. 

3. We do not seek to criticise or be political. We just want to help and we work closely with the Army, Navy and RAF to provide support where it is most needed.

4. 'Money in, money out'. We spend all that we get. and all our admin costs are covered by selling H4H merchandise through Help for Heroes Trading.

I am prepared as best as i can be, i have considered and keeping my fingers crossed that my body will have a great day and carry me round, i have also considered my body may have a bad day and i end up going from running to walking, limping or crawling...but i know i will be crossing the start line and the finish line, because every penny i raise will go to 'our blokes'!

I am aiming this to be my last fundraising event of 2011 at the moment, so i will not be bothering you again this year for donations for other events, i understand that some people cannot give much, but whatever you can give would be greatly appreciated, please claim for gift aid (and please leave a comment when leaving your donation...hopefully encouraging!!!).

 

Now for the Just giving donation website bit, I have donated on this website before; for other people, and it is a very safe and secure website:

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.