EVENT UPDATE!!

Well, it's over.  THANK GOD!!!

I may well be the slowest marathon 'runner' in the world but I just got round in time to qualify for a medal (the cut off point is eight hours).  I have a spectacular blister and a ... erm ... chest wound (think bra wires) to go with the medal, which I'm so proud of. 

I have to thank Lisa, who was 'running' for Multiple Sclerosis, for keeping me company during the gruelling last 11 miles - I wouldn't have made it without her!  I was overdressed for the sunshine in a long sleeved tshirt but so very grateful now I've seen my face and neck in the mirror - very ouchy sunburn.

I'll leave a link to photo's when I've checked them! 

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you ... you get the picture.  I wouldn't have gotten off my fat lazy ass if you didn't sponsor me.  You're amazing!!

Sx

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. 

After completing the 2008 5k Race for Life I had a rush of blood to the head and find myself starting a 24 week programme, aimed at novices, to compete in the 2009 Flora London Marathon. 

The Samaritans provide completely confidential emotional support 24 hours a day by telephone, personal visit, email and letter throughout its branch network - support that includes outreach activity at festivals, prisons, schools, hospitals, the workplace and with homeless people. 

It costs over £10m a year to run the Samaritans and I aim to raise at least £2000 to help support them.  £22.90 will pay for the cost of 10 calls, £36.46 will pay for one phone line for 24 hours and £109.00 pays for six months initial volunteer training.

DID YOU KNOW ...

1. Samaritans is contacted every six seconds by people in need of support;
2. Samaritans has 14,433 active volunteers;
3. Over the course of a year they give an average of 2,058,744 hours of their time to provide confidential emotional support;
4.This amounts to an average of over 20 working days a year per active volunteer;
5. If the volunteers were paid an average wage of £11.34 per hour, the cost to Samaritans would be £23.3m per year;
6. On average there is one death from suicide every 90 minutes across the UK and Ireland;
7. Every year there are about 24,000 cases of attempted suicide by young people aged 10-19 years in England and Wales alone.  This is one attempt every 20 minutes.
8. Since 1984, the organisation has received 61 million contacts in which people felt able to speak;
9. Samaritans volunteers cover 582 telephone helplines 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, 365 days-a-year; and
10. 97% of Samaritans funding comes from public donations.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Samaritans gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!