Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Don't ask me where I was but when I woke in the morning I found a message in my inbox confirming my place in the London Marathon on 25th April 2010!!  That was the good news.....the bad news was I only had 8 weeks to get in shape!!

I first became aware of Oasis Childcare, a local charity in Cobham when my niece Katie suffered serious head injuries in a car accident. Behavioural changes and drug abuse were just some of the problems that had to be dealt with and if it wasn't for Oasis I'm not sure how my sister and our family would have coped. Please take the opportunity to click on their web link on this page to gain a better understanding of the work we carry out.

A little about Oasis Childcare:

Oasis believes every child has a right to security, love and a stable environment in which they can develop their full potential

It was the recognition that this was an impossible ideal in a great number of families that led to the formation of Oasis in 1996 to work throughout the Borough of Elmbridge.

The stress and pressures of modern society always affect those least able to cope, those in critically dysfunctional family situations, some single parents, those with alcoholic and/or drug dependencies and those in severe financial hardship.

The helpless victims of all this pressure have always been children, the people with the least resistance to emotional confusion, stress and pain.

 

Anyway more on the fundraising...the whole point of being here! 

The mind is willing and the body is just about holding up. Operations to both knees, broken ribs and collapsed lung, both shoulders rebuilt and back surgery last year.......nothing stops the Bionic Man! Apart from the right shoulder, which was smashed falling down some stairs in a nightclub, all suffered putting my body on the line for the glory of Old Reedonian's rugby!!

You can see this run is taking a lot of effort but is also great fun. The training and  preparation is gruelling but the  motivation to reach my target is enough to keep up the spirits. I also thought I would have a little competition to raise some extra money so guess a time between 4 and 5.30 hours that I will finish in and I will pay the nearest sponsor £100. Of course they will have the option to put this back into the charity.........no pressure then. 

So please give generously, as much as you can, to a very worthy cause and also in the knowledge that I am suffering big time!

 

Update 25.03.10. Seems a common problem with me. Meant to run 15 miler last week and ended up doing 17 and then yesterday 20 was the target but ended up at 22! Anyway felt like I was running backwards after 18 miles so my time target has been extended accordingly. The training is hurting a lot you will no doubt be pleased to hear but at least only 5 weeks to go. My 7.45am running club on Saturday morning after a bladder full on Friday night is not easy but has to be done. Please keep the donations coming in........I am so chuffed so many people want to support me and Oasis!! 

Update 06.04.10. Well after the family ski holiday last week I am grateful to have returned with no injuries unlike last year! Training definitely went on the back burner with only one lung busting 2 miler around La Plagne at high altitude and most of the training being carried out in the bars and restaurants. Nevertheless off the plane Sunday afternoon straight into a short run in the woods to get me puffing again and then straight into a 19 miler to the other side of Guildford on Easter Monday morning. Oh how I wish I could have been with the others eating easter eggs in bed!! Calf and leg problems starting to ask questions but dare I say it I am quite enjoying the training especially as I seem to have acquired some new friends who want to personally watch my suffering from close quarters running with me.

Race day only three weeks away and with instuctions and registration forms now with me I'm beginning to realise the enormity of the task ahead. Anyway onwards and upwards..........what a great way to really test yourself and even better with the fundraising going very well Oasis are on course to benefit considerably from my and all my contributor's efforts, so thank you all very much for your donations to such a worthwhile charity. Please finally pass this appeal around for anyone else you think may care to donate.

Update 14.04.10. Less than 2 weeks to go and bad news.........my running partner Craig has had to pull out of the race with a hip problem. Will have to start looking for another running buddy at short notice! Spent the early hours of my 56th birthday last week clocking up 10 miles in Bushy Park with my very quiet wife ,Kim , barking orders from the comfort of her bicycle seat! It is amusing when I get back from early morning training runs and one of my darling teenage children emerge from their pit and ask me if I've been up long!? Anyway plans now being formulated to register formally for the London Marathon next Wednesday, running vest all printed up and most importantly money for my charity still arriving although the flow has now reduced to a trickle! However target almost reached and excitement building so watch this space!

Update 19.04.10. Less than a week to go and whilst the training has gone well I feel it would have been better for the marathon to have been a few weeks ago. Isn't it strange how all those aches, pains and niggles come back to haunt you as the run approaches! Pains shut out from your mind return and then doubts manifest themselves as to whether you will actually finish the race. Anyway, enough of that of course I will if only to help Oasis with their work. A good piece in the Surrey Advertiser this week means more publicity and I have reached my £5K goal.........however that is now £6K so keep the donations coming! Registration Wednesday evening then the 6.50am train on Sunday morning to make sure I am in place on time with all my last minute preparation completed. It will be one hell of an experience and I am really looking forward to taking part in what will be my longest run ever..................hopefully!!!

Final Update 26.04.10. Well no-one told me it would be quite so hard but with 36000 runners, 6000 of whom needed medical treatment and 47 hospitalised at least I finished! My time was 4hours 41mins and whilst I was on time for 4hours 20 at the 20 mile mark battling through the last few miles was mentally as well as physically one of the most challenging tests of my life. I was surprised to see so many people walking and taking it easy after relatively few miles but I had a personal ambition to 'run the London Marathon' and I am pleased to say I ran every step of the way no matter how slowly! For any of my donors who read this I am immensely grateful to you all. I have adjusted my financial target upwards on a number of occasions and each time you have reached it and beyond! Oasis will benefit considerably from this injection of funds and we are aiming to invest this to enable us to extend the opening hours of our drop -in centre for families in distress as well as other important improvements. When you understand it only takes £80,000 to run our small but important charity for a whole year you can see the difference your donations will make so thank you very much and goodnight from a very tired Oasis Trustee.

Thank you all very much, Cheers, Adie.