UPDATE: Did the run yesterday - it was a beautiful day although a tad warm for running. I started in the first Orange pen so it only took me just over a minute to get running. Kept up a steady pace just over 7 minute miles for the first half of the race, then had a short spurt, but slowed a little in the last 3 miles. I was tired at the end but in good order.
I was the first runner home for Make Poverty History (half money to Debt Relief Campaign and half to Oxfam) and finished in 1.34.50, 2 whole minutes faster than last year! I was 1171 in position and 19th in my age class 55-59. I am amazed and very pleased - I did slightly less training in miles this year but did more longer runs and tried to do a bit more on speed. Rubbed on JointAce after the race - it worked wonders
Happy to receive any more donations - I have £50 in cash and £20 in charity cheques to add to the total on the JG page, so £500 is in sight. As I am donating 50p for £1 to a South African Aids Orphanage that is another £250 to the total. AND I DID THE COOKING WHEN I GOT HOME. Thanks everyone.
I am a bit late constructing my page this year as I was uncertain that I would be fit after some typical runner's niggles and some very frustrating sinusitis, which laid me low. But on holiday in France I got my legs moving again without mishap and I am managing 30 miles a week at the moment with some speed work (I call it speed). So I am running again this year for the Jubilee Debt Relief Campaign - half the money goes to debt relief and the other half to my selected charity - OXFAM - to whom I am devoted. I am aiming to run inside 1 hour 37 minutes (getting a bit slower).
However because my family has a strong connection with Rehoboth, an AIDS orphanage in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa I am also SPONSORING MYSELF. For every £1 you sponsor me I will donate 50p to Rehoboth. South africa has the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world and the area where Rehoboth is located has the highest rates in South Africa. Sally, my wife has been to Rehoboth as part of a working party and Naomi my youngest daughter has spent time there this year, working with the children and their carers as part of her medical training.(picture 3 shows Naomi with some of the children - she is the blond one on the sofa). She also worked at the local hospital which the children use as they are all HIV positive and many have other health complications which go with being born HIV positive. The pictures show the children playing at Rehoboth looking 'well' after the excellent care they receive and the use of anti-retroviral drugs which has changed most of them from skeletal, undersized children waiting to die, to happy children attending school with the possibility of a future to look forward to.
The children's village of Rehoboth tries to give the children a 'family' to belong to and a small house for every four children with a housemother who is from the local community, some of whom are also HIV/AIDS victims. Children who are HIV positive in South Africa are often rejected by the community and they will often not have any living relatives who can look after them.
Rehoboth is a brilliant example of people making a difference - hard work, imagination, determination, love and money bringing hope to children who had lost nearly everything. It helps to make the world a better place.
