I'm running the Nice-Cannes Marathon on November 20, raising funds for Ashoka Fellow Nick Sireau's AKU Society.
Firstly, about the AKU Society. When I set to choose an Ashoka Fellow to raise funds for, I couldn't think of a more pressing, challenging and relevant task than that which Nick Sireau set out for himself: to find the cure to a rare and serious genetic disease, Alkaptonuria, that affects his two children. And, while he's at it, Nick seeks to re-frame the entire rare disease field, showing that they affect many more people than is perceived, demonstratinting that rare disease research can impact other common genetic diseases, and planting the seed of a "Fundamental Diseases" movement. In Ashoka fashion, Nick's motivation is deeply personal, but he will not rest until he has changed an entire field.
Why run? Why raise funds running? Frankly, when I started running, I was clearly doing it for myself. I needed an ambitious goal, and I needed to dig deep to find the motivation to train to get me through the 42km. In my first two marathons, I ran for myself - my health, my sanity - and resisted doing the "charity run thing". After all, my day job is about supporting social entrepreneurs.
Now, ahead of my third race, struggling with an injury that left me very inadequately prepared, I realise I need the extra incentive to get me to the finish line. And I'm one of those who cannot keep the day job away from everything else I do for too long.
By the way, I run wearing a Luta vest (www.luta.co.uk). Luta is the quality fightwear brand launched this year by Ashoka Fellow Luke Dowdney. I'm no fighter, but every self-respecting weekend jogger would recognise the quality of their training and street wear. A good Christmas gift, if you need a suggestion.
Nick needs to raise... er... £5 million pounds. This is what he needs for a clinical trial for a cure for AKU. But a smaller donation will go a long way.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Please make help me help the AKU Society.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.
Best wishes
Andres Falconer
