Story
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">This is my second half-marathon event and is still a massive personal challenge for me. I've got a list of physical issues that mean I find running a real challenge (see last year's page for the full list!), but added to that I've identified that </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"> I've also got an issue that a lot of men have - binge eating! This event is part of my year-long challenge to lose some serious weight and make fitness a habit to improve my life chances, as well as raising money for a good cause!</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">So why do this? God has set me this challenge (and thankfully is with me in it!) and I know that a few hours of my discomfort will greatly benefit those for whom pain and discomfort have been a part of their lives for too long, but through Launchpad Reading can get themselves to a place where their life potential is realised.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Here is a little bit about Launchpad Reading, taken from their website (</span><a href="http://www.launchpadreading.org.uk/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">http://www.launchpadreading.org.uk/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">):</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Launchpad Reading (formerly Reading Single Homeless Project) is a registered charity that helps some of Reading’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged people to turn around their lives and fulfil their full potential.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">We provide supported housing to single people who have a history of homelessness. And, as homelessness rarely comes alone, many are struggling with substance or alcohol misuse, have a history of offending or mental health issues, had a poor start in life or have been affected by a relationship breakdown.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">At Launchpad we give people a second chance, challenging and supporting them to make changes in their life.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; 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>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Thank you for spending time reading this, I just wanted you to appreciate how big a challenge this is for me and how important raising this money is for the people it will benefit. So please do support me and them, by giving as much as you can for this vital lifeline to Reading's homeless.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">God bless you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Dave</span></p>