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Hi. I’m Frank Bonney and I’d like to tell you why, at the age of 68, I am going to run the London Marathon for the very first time, in aid of BLISS, the charity for sick and premature babies. On the 31st July 2009, my granddaughter Molly was born, weighing just two thirds of a bag of sugar (or 1lb 4oz to be exact!) Thanks to modern medicine, the devotion of her parents and the skill and care of the hospital staff; Molly is now a beautiful, bouncy one year old. To hear her laughing and gurgling with her older brother Ben does my heart good, as at birth she was given just a 20% chance of being alive on her first birthday. Molly did have a twin sister, but sadly, Izzy (who was born 8 days previously) was just too tiny to survive. If you would like to read their full story, go to: <a href="http://www.mollybranchett.typepad.com/molly/">http://www.mollybranchett.typepad.com/molly/</a>   BLISS provide support and care to premature and sick babies and their families. They offer information and guidance at this critical time. BLISS also funds research and actively campaigns for babies to receive the best possible care. I was so proud of my daughter Katie and full of admiration for the courage and fortitude shown by her and her husband Duncan at this trying time. When Katie asked me if I would consider running the Virgin London Marathon to raise money for BLISS, I did not hesitate to say yes. I have previously run a few half marathons and have always wanted to run the London Marathon. Despite previous applications I was never accepted but I am now a proud member of the BLISS Team. With this come certain obligations: firstly, I need to get fit enough to run 26 odd miles and secondly I need to raise a minimum of £2,500. I will definitely be in the upper quartile by age of entrants but I am sure I can give a good account of myself. I have already started training and if my 68 year old bones and joints hold together, would hope to complete the course in somewhere less than 6 hours. This is where YOU come in. BLISS need all the sponsorship we can get and I know you will contribute generously. If you could spread the word amongst your friends and work colleagues, I would be eternally grateful. I am already looking forward to the day and I know I will enjoy it. Thank you so much for your support. The parents and families of all the tiny babies you can help will be forever grateful. BLISS supported my family when we desperately needed them. Please give as much as you can to ensure that babies born too small or too sick to survive on their own, have the support they so badly need. Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. 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.

Frank Bonney is running the London Marathon!

Frank Bonney is running the London Marathon!

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