Story
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page and reading my story.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: small;">I recently found myself running around Norland Moor, uphill, into a strong headwind; in sub zero temperatures, at 6.15 on a dark December morning and thought to myself - <strong>"you must be crazy!”</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Then, through the pain I was able to recall the feelings I had when I witnessed my own daughter suffer an epileptic seizure in front of me. Even worse, in the vicinity of the village where I live, three young people have actually died as a result of epilepsy.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The parents of one of them, Charles Sykes, have devoted an amazing amount of effort into setting up a charity in his name to raise funds for research at Kings College and by doing so, gave me an outlet, over several years, to face into the terrible feelings I experienced when my daughter was diagnosed, by raising funds on their behalf, all be that in a somewhat casual way.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I've now been given the chance, at the age of 56, to run my first marathon, in London, in the same year as the London Olympics and this is a great opportunity for me to do more for Epilepsy Research.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">On the morning I describe, these thoughts get me to the top of the hill, the wind drops, the bright moon appears from behind a cloud and in my mind I can hear the haunting music of the London Marathon.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">I ask myself "am I really up for it" and the honest answer is I'm not sure. I calculate the need for some 600 training miles before the 22nd April and some good support from others if I'm going to get to the start line with the potential to run a respectable time.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">If you have never witnessed epilepsy you are blessed and I hope that you will simply see my endeavors as a bit of fun that you might see fit to sponsor me for.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">If you have, then I'm sure you will understand my passion, why I intend to put myself through such pain over the coming months and hopefully be willing to not only sponsor me but pass on my page details to your own friends and contacts.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Anything you are willing to do to support me would be really appreciated.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> </span></p>
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