In 2022 my beautiful Mum died.

I am running three challenges for Phab in mums memory.

June - Sandringham half marathon ( completed 2:32)

September- Norfolk coastal marathon 26.2 miles- compleated 6:19.14

April 2025 - London marathon - pre training block strength training. Block starts January.

Please give what you can, thank you.

About my chosen charity,

Information from Phab

Phab inspires and supports disabled and non-disabled children, young people and adults, to make more of life together, through our network of 130 clubs over England & Wales, with 8,000 members and our Phab residential adventures, breaking down community barriers, reducing social isolation, and creating opportunities for all involved to enjoy the same activities and challenges side by side.

For more information visit www.phab.org.uk

Why I chose Phab,

Grab a cuppa and a comfy chair, this is my story.

In 1968 Sue Benbow ran Chelmsford Phab club. She met an able bodied young man in Southend at an event and invited him to attend Chelmsford Phab. Sue thought he would bring some lads she knew who also lived in Southend but did not drive.

The man’s name was Keith, he attended the club and chatted with Sue afterwards. She wanted to know where he parked but Keith told her he walked. Sue was a little confused as Southend's a long way from Chelmsford. Keith told her he lived 100 yards away in the Red Cross house.

Keith Joined the club and he started dating a visually impaired lady called Wendy. They got married on Valentine’s Day 1970, had two children and three grand children. They celebrated 52 years of marriage in 2022, Wendy passed away November 2022 after living a full and active life. What Wendy didn’t know about gardening wasn’t worth knowing. A great cook, competent knitter and a lover of music. He life was not always easy but it was shared thanks to phab.

To their friends they are Keith and Wendy, to me they are Mum and Dad.

I owe my life and the lives of my 2 children to Phab.

About me, I am 52 and am autistic. I have an impressive range of ailments including asthma, diverticulitis and arthritis.

I have attended Phab clubs since I was born, from the members I developed a never give up attitude. They taught me to keep going, adapt and overcome adversity. I have needed this in the past year and will draw of their strength in the coming year.

I struggle with anxiety and depression, I find social situations difficult. I spend a lot of time alone. Before I started running I wasn’t eating or sleeping well. Now I have to as I need the energy to train. There have been times I have not seen a way forward and running has changed my focus.

I work as a support worker now after 20 years as a clown and entertainer. My stage name is Crazy Bananas! I started the business after attending Mersea Islsnd festival with Brentwood Phab. I was inspired to turn a hobby into a business.

Last year I got a ballot place in London marathon. I got the email two days after getting out of hospital with sepsis.

32 years of trying, 9 months training and I got a bug and could not run. Despite being devastated I refused to give up.

Two weeks after the London marathon I completed a virtual Marathon in kings Lynn. I started running at 5am and joined the GEAR 10k for the last 6 miles. I completed 26.8 miles in total in 6:02.

I still have my dream and Phab is helping me achieve this by granting me a place on their team for the 2025 London marathon.

There are people out there like my Mum, people who have disabilities but so much potential and masses of ability. They just need opportunities.

Your donation will give them that opportunity. To learn, grow, push boundaries, develop new stills and thrive. Who knows some may meet their soul mate like Mum did.

My story is one of hope. It starts with two people who would never have met if it wasn’t for Phab. It’s about overcoming, struggling and doing it anyway. Joy and friendship, happiness and inclusivity.

It’s also about faith, I am a Christian and believe that each step I run is with my Lord.

I will post updates as I progress.

Thank you for helping me to give back.

This is me!

Hair colour may vary….

Update

June - 2024

Sandringham half marathon completed in a time of 2:32 chip time. My app said 2:35.

July - Three weeks out with a throat infection. I’m ndid manage a sub 30 min 5k in the middle.

August - back into training. Ran a 16 miler, then 20 miles and a 13.1 miler too. All under my 14 min mile target pace.

September, trainings going well. Entering taper weeks where I focus of recovery ahead of the race. I need a little more sponsorship to reach my target.

6 days to marathon - My anxiety is high. I am mainly nervous about keeping well for Saturday. So much do that I have a plan B in place to run an alternative marathon should I be ill.

Anxiety and mental health can be debilitating. Running has taught me not to give up.

Norfolk coastal marathon - I started the race for ll of nerves and settled into my 5 min run 90 second walk routine. At mile 2.5 I slipped and landed on my bum! Got up and continued, this was a self navigation run and there were a few points I was concerned I would go wrong.

As mile 11 was announced in my headphones I face planted a particularly stony path, no damage so on I go, lost in the sand dunes, rescued by bird watchers, swamped by people enjoying the sun at mile 19 at Wells, finding the water stop and setting off on the last 6 miles. Getting stuck in a swamp mile 25 and climbing out using my elbows, very pleased to see the finish flags, eyes filled with tears as I approached the line.

Next stop London