Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
In March 2011 I ran the Forest of Dean Half Marathon...(My tenth in ten years .... one race for each year between my 40th and 50th years !) .... and then having completed that, on April Fool's Day, I ran 50 miles (one for each of my years) over two days along the Jurassic (Fossil) Coast of Dorset. Recently I have also completed the Bristol Half Marathon.
With Jo (my wife) and I both being 50 this year .. I thought that a target of 50 Squared .... £2500 would be good to aim for
To help achieve this I would be very grateful if you would sponsor me for my efforts ...
I visited Kolkata in January this year, and part of my time in the city was spent at Future Hope.
Future Hope was set up in 1988 to provide a home, education, medical aid and opportunity to some of the children of Kolkata who found themselves living on the streets of the city. These children suffer extreme poverty and have little or no ability to change their lives. More than anything they need the love and security of a home. Future Hope now runs eight homes where more than 200 former street children live and enjoy life.
Sport is a key pillar of life at Future Hope and is a daily activity for the children. Sport has been shown to be a very effective medium for instilling positive values as well as offering a constructive outlet for the children's energies.
Every afternoon the Future Hope bus sets of for the 100+ acre Kolkata Maidan, a green but dusty park area in the centre of Kolkata. Depending on the season the children enjoy cricket, football, rugby, hockey and many other sports.
This is a really worthwhile cause - Even though India is a rapidly developing economy, there is little in the way of local funding for children such as these (and infact the industrialization and development of the country is leading to more kids ending up on the streets of Indian cities every year)
Funds raised will be used to pay for essential medical treatments and to purchase some basic science teaching equipment.
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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
STOP PRESS 28 MARCH ..... Completed the Forest of Dean Half Marathon in 2 Hrs and 13 Mins (my fastest for three years ... must be getting fitter) Now three days to go until 50 miles for 50 years ... Thanks to all for your support - If you have not yet sponsored me then please do so if you can : Thanks
STOP PRESS 2 APRIL ..... April Fools day has passed .. I did it, 50 miles in 2 days .. The first 25 was absolute hell, 30 mph headwinds and poor visibility (8.5 hrs) ... The second 25 was much better (6.5 hrs) .. Its a great bit of coast (see the photos)
STOP PRESS 16 June .... Thanks to all who came to our 50th Birthday Bash - It was great to see you all : and to be able to announce to everyone that I had reached my target of £1500 ... Thank you to all who made contributions.Those of you that ordered callendars and T-Towels : I will process the orders for 1 July at the latest.
STOP PRESS - September 2011 : I have agreed to run in the Bristol Half Marathon on 11/9. The forcast is wet and windy : If you would like to contribute to my fundraising then please do.
STOP PRESS - Completed the Bristol Half Marathon in 2hrs 15mins (in slightly gusty conditions). Thanks for the support you have shown me.
STOP PRESS - Thanks to all from the RSM, SAM and FASSGEM meetings who have visited this site to support my fundraising.
STOP PRESS - October 2011 : 50 Squared ... As my Wife (Jo) and I are both 50 this year I have decided to up my sights for my total target for the year ... To 50 to the power of two ... £2500
Thanks a lot Andrew
