Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Sunshine & Smiles is a registered charity that provides a support network in Leeds for children and young people who have Down syndrome and their families aiming to improve the lives and opportunities for children and young people with Down syndrome. https://sunshineandsmiles.org.uk/about-us

Richard and I have known of the charity and the founder Ailith for many years; our ukulele groups have played at fundraising events for the charity in the past and we wish we could do more... this is a way we can raise money for them without playing our ukes!

I (Jen) found out in June 2024 that I'd defied all the odds and won a ballot place for the London Marathon 2025! It's the 45th London Marathon, and I've just turned 45 so that's cool! Richard and I had JUST booked on to the Leeds Marathon 2025 and the two events are 2 WEEKS apart! I am so nervous about running two marathons 14 days apart but I am going to do my best to enjoy both experiences and try not to injure/damage myself in the process. I did my first training run on Christmas Eve 2024, and (touching wood) things have gone well.

Richard has been training for Leeds Marathon since January and has been running up and down Leeds Road from Otley many many times. Sometimes swearing, sometimes enjoying it.

Richard and I are not naturally gifted runners - we both find it hard at times and both came to running later in life - but running marathons is a privilege. We both feel very lucky to be able to even consider doing it.

Thinking about raising money for a cause we care about helps when training has been tough/boring/windy/enjoyable/all of these things in one go!

So we're hoping to raise £786, which is £10 for every mile of London Marathon and 2 Leeds Marathons.

If you're interested in tracking me in London - drop me a text and I'll let you know how you can. If you want to track us both in Leeds then we can let you know the details for that too. If you're local to Leeds/Otley, then a number of our friends will be playing and singing for the runners and spectators outside Woolpack Studios in Otley between 11am-1pm on Leeds Marathon day (11th May 2025). If you'll be elsewhere on the route, let me know so we can look out for you. It really is such a boost to see friendly faces x

Thank you for reading all this - please see Sunshine and Smiles website to learn about all the great things they do - and pop in for a coffee at their Cafe 21 next time you're in Headingley. https://sunshineandsmiles.org.uk/about-us

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. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.