Hello! And thanks for coming!
So yes, for some mad reason I'm doing it again, London Marathon number 2.Actually, I know exactly why I'm doing it again - the 2009 marathon was an incredible experience: I got round and (mostly) loved it. And I raised almost £3,000 for the National Autistic Society.
I was pretty chuffed at the time, but what really brought that achievement home was seeing Jack over Christmas. Jack is my 11-year-old cousin and he's autistic. Until recently he attended a 'normal' school, with the one-on-one attention of a dedicated carer, but last September he started going to a special school, where everything is set up to best help kids with a range of disorders.
He's only been there a few months but already, his Mum tells me, he's come on leaps and bounds. His writing has improved, he's taking swimming lessons, he's learning French and, apparently, he's become something of a whizz in the kitchen – my aunt proudly produced a Christmas cake Jack had made a few days earlier!
It just goes to show what can happen when people on the autistic spectrum get the best care, from people and institutions that are designed to help not only them but their families too. The look on my aunt's face said it all.
And that's why I'm raising money for the National Autistic Society again. So that the NAS will be able to provide even more support to people on the autistic spectrum and those around them, through funding schools and daycare centres, and offering courses, helplines and a range of other services.
It would be brilliant if you could help me help them – as well as offering me a bit of moral support for my second lot of 26.2 miles. My aims are to raise as much as possible and to beat last year's time (gulp) – if you could wish me luck by way of a small donation, thay would be smashing! Thanks.
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It would be brilliant if you could donate now.
