I DID IT!!!

I got round the route in 3:16:14, finishing 2126th out of about 36000 runners.  What a brilliant day and such a great experience.  Thanks to everyone for your support and generous donations (if you have not got round to sponsoring me, it's not too late - you can make a donation on this page).

Thank you also to the guys at the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, especially Linden, for giving me the opportunity to take part.

Hi Everybody

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

I have agreed to run the London Marathon 2009 to help raise valuable funds for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT).  I’ve really got into running over the past couple of years, generally doing distances of between 5-8 miles.  It really is going to be quite a challenge for me to step up to the 26+ miles for the marathon but I think I’m up to it.  The incentive of knowing that I will be raising funds for a very worthwhile and needy cause will make it all the easier for me.

Retinoblastoma is a rare form of eye cancer which is prevalent in early childhood.  It is one of the less commons forms of childhood cancer with typically 40-50 new cases being diagnosed each year in the UK. 

There is a strong line of the genetic form of retinoblastoma in my family with several generations being affected to varying degrees including blindness.  My children Ross (age 10) and Beth (age 8) both had treatment for eye tumours in their early childhood, as did my wife Kirsteen and several of her relatives.  The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) has provided invaluable support to us in helping us to understand the condition and to cope with the trauma of seeing our children being treated for cancer.  CHECT also fund research into the condition and look to raise public awareness.  For more information check out their website at www.chect.org.uk

Kirsteen, Ross and Beth have all been really fortunate to have been successfully treated for the condition and retain their sight in both eyes.  To read how the condition has affected us, click on the link below for an article which was published in the Daily Mail after CHECT asked Kirsteen to do an interview to highlight our positive story:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-536228/The-mother-children-beat-eye-cancer-different-pioneering-treatments.html

The London Marathon is a major source of fundraising for CHECT.  As they are a relatively small charity, they often miss out on the handouts other better known charities receive.  Please help this worthy cause by sponsoring me to complete the marathon.  Any amount, however small will be greatly appreciated.  You can be assured that your money will be put to very good use.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure.  It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Childhood Eye Cancer Trust 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!

Thanks

Stephen