My story

+++UPDATE+++

 

The first target was to get round the Bath Half Marathon in one piece, the second was to not stop for a break along the way and the third was to try and do it in the best realistic time I had in my head.

 

Well, it was a hard slog in the sun, but I got there in the end and achieved all three, with a 'sprint' finish - these things are all relative - helping me squeak just inside the two hours 40 minute mark, so I'm pretty chuffed all told.

 

And the aches and pains are all worth it when weighed against your amazing kindness in donating to the William Budd Ward.

 

I've been blown away by your generosity, which provided massive motivation when the body started to hurt out there, and have now doubled the initial target to £3,000.

 

Thank you ever so much.

 

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It appears to me that these days you're supposed to do something mega outlandish when it's for charity, like rollerblading down the north face of Everest blindfolded in an effort to support a project for short-sighted lemurs in the Madagascan highlands!

 

So I'm bucking the trend and going local with something much closer to home, and much closer to my heart.

 

On Sunday 11 March I will be doing the Bath Half Marathon in aid of the William Budd Ward, which is the Haematology and Oncology ward at Bath's Royal United Hospital. 

 

Since moving to Bath in 2007, the remarkable staff who work there have put up with me more than any sane person should have to as I've spent a fair bit of time coming and going, having been diagnosed with leukaemia in 2008 and relapsing for the first time in 2009. A rough estimate puts it at about 200 days as an in-patient and I'd like to raise some money in order to provide the ward with extra funds to help make the stays of long-term patients in a similar position to me as comfortable as possible. All donations will be passed on to Forever Friends, which is the hospital's charitable trust, and they will be directed towards the William Budd Ward from there.

 

Having only ever run for a bus before, training for this has been a step into the unknown and my plodding progress was hit when I relapsed a second time at the beginning of 2012. I seem to be getting slightly slower with each passing week, but as I'm still able to maintain some forward momentum I have decided to carry on with plans to give this half-marathon malarkey a crack as illness has yet to intervene. Hopefully I'll still have some forward momentum by the end of it!

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit this page, spare a thought for me on Sunday and I'll let you know how it goes.

 

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Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted e-mails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to Forever Friends 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.

My gallery 1

My Teams

My company

My charity

The Forever Friends Appeal

The Forever Friends Appeal

Charity Registration No. 1058323

The Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital Bath, raises funds for all wards & departments of the RUH, with a primary focus on its current campaign - to raise £5 million towards the build of a pioneering new Cancer Centre which will tranform care for patients and their families.

Donations 90

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Go for it Charlie! We'll be thinking of you. Loads of love,

Donation by Tony & Margaret Goodhew on 07/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Amazing - lots of luck from the Rastogi Family!

Donation by Anshu Rastogi on 07/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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This seems a very reckless but very admirable venture. Might even get the team down to cheer you on.

Donation by Matt Majendie on 07/03/12

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

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good luck `Charlie

Donation by laurence steel on 07/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Chuck, Please do not hit Rahul Dravid. The only half marathon I ever finished was the one in the fridge etc... Good luck son, a true inspiration.

Donation by Pranav Soneji on 06/03/12

£30.00

+ £7.50 Gift Aid

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Inspirational stuff Charlie! Just don't forget the head band and the vaseline. All the best from John, Catherine and Charlie.

Donation by John Mills on 06/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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All the best Charlie, inspired effort for a great cause. From Hannah (Gareth's sis'), Alex and baby Charlie Deveson x

Donation by Hannah Deveson on 06/03/12

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Good luck

Donation by Paddy Adams on 06/03/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Go Chaz! I'll be waiting for you at the finish line on March 11...next year.

Donation by Chris Charles on 06/03/12

£20.00

+ £5.00 Gift Aid

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Best of luck Charlie, been a long time, good to read you're still up for some hijinx despite lifes rich tapestry of challenges.

Donation by Tim Freeman on 06/03/12

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

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Great stuff Hendo. I hear Lorraine Kelly used to do sub 20-min miles, so that's your benchmark. BTW Should I contact Chaz Chandarana for a donation?

Donation by Burners, Sohee & Noah on 06/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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All the best. Hope you don't hit the wall

Donation by Francis Keogh on 06/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Props to you Charlie, you have made my day! Best of luck for Sunday.

Donation by Steel family on 06/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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Bath half. 2004. 1 hour 57 mins. Beat that and I'll chuck in another 1,000 pence. Do us proud. PS Want to borrow my Scooby Doo outfit?

Donation by Mark, Pammy + Pops Ashenden on 06/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

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You're as mad as you are bonkers. Good luck mate - and don't forget to elastoplast those nipples.

Donation by Macca on 06/03/12

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£3,630.00
  • Offline donations£50.00
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£3,680.00
  • Gift Aid£902.50

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