<p><span style="color: #993300;">Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">Well friends, it's that time of year when once again I dig the lycra out of the wardrobe and hit the streets in the build up to completing this year's London Marathon. And I'd like to say that lycra leggings are not the most flattering attire for a 43 year old man! (As those of you that know me will confirm!)</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">So why do we do it? Of course there is that great feeling of personal achievement when you cross the finish line after running 26.2 miles; but more than that - much more than that - is the immeasurable&nbsp; sense of feeling you get knowing that you have made a difference and brought a smile to someone's face and made their life better.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">Once again, this year I am going to run in aid of Little Havens Children's Hospice in Essex.<br></span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">Little Havens provides a range of specialist one-to-one care services for children with life threatening or terminal illnesses and their families throughout Essex and Outer London. It is often the devastating effects on the families in these tragic situations that get overlooked. Constant care is often needed and&nbsp;normal family activities such as mealtimes&nbsp;or going&nbsp;shopping become nigh on impossible. Sibblings can suffer through lack of attention&nbsp;as their Mum and Dad&nbsp;have to devote so much time and energy to caring for their sick brother or sister. Little Havens try to fill this vacuum and provide some semblance of normality to families emotionally and physically devastated by the illness of their child.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">I would ask you all to please visit the Little Havens Website to get an idea of the fantastic work they do.<br></span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">As a parent of two young children I hope and pray that I never have need to call on Little Haven's services but let us all be aware that there are many families out there like my good friends Angela, Steve and Fran who do. Angela and Steve sadly lost their youngest daughter Liberty to a terminal illness. All the while Little Havens provided not only medical care for Liberty but emotional support for a devastated family.<br></span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">Thank you for listening and visiting my fundraising page. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE&nbsp;dig deep (and I'll keep pounding the streets in all weather) and help&nbsp;this wonderful organisation continue supporting&nbsp;sick children and their families.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">In memory of Liberty Angel (aka "Rocky"): a beautiful, brave fighter who we all miss greatly but will be forever in our hearts.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">26.2 Libs....here we go again!<br></span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">Many thanks for your support</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">David</span></p> <p><span style="color: #993300;">Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Little Havens Children's Hospice will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.<br><br>So please sponsor me now!</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>