Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

NEWS: Job done! Started well-ish, just the usual shin aches and trying to get past slow-movers. First half seemed to rush by. Things got harder in Isle of Dogs, and in Canary Wharf around mile 19 I found that "the wall" does indeed exist. 7 miles to go then on legs which felt completely "empty". I scaled back my ambitions of finishing under 4 hours and decided that finishing without resorting to walking would be challenge enough. Indescribably intense, physically and mentally, and far harder than I expected. But, managed to kick the wall's ass to finish at 3h57m. Very pleased, even if I can now barely walk; going down stairs a particular treat!

Check it out for yourself: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/31385560

Thanks so much to all who've generously donated to help me exceed my target; it's been humbling and is incredibly important to my charities. Worth the pain, I can say now it's over. Now I want to maximise my total - this page doesn't close until 25 July 2010, so there is still time to contribute!

Pictures of me and pouch in all our glory to come...
 

I'm privileged that a recent moment of madness on my part - a decision to attempt this year's London Marathon - has resulted in an opportunity to raise funds for not one, but two, fantastic and very different causes.

Firstly, half of the funds pledged will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC). As you may know, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling neurodegenerative disease which strikes most often during early adulthood and is the most common neurological disorder among young adults. It is thought that 100,000 people in the UK - about 1 in 600 - have been diagnosed. The MSRC is a proactive and innovative charity, passionately committed to supporting anyone affected by MS through access to unbiased information and advice. For more information on MS and the work of the MSRC, see: http://www.msrc.co.uk.

Secondly, and quite differently, the other half of the contributions will go to Rhino Ark (http://www.rhinoark.org). Rhino Ark raise funds to protect the Aberdares National Park and Aberdares Conservation Area in Kenya. This huge indigenous forest is home to several thousand elephant, as well as buffalo, forest antelope, leopard, the rare and endangered giant forest hog, the largest known number of the highly endangered mountain bongo and over 270 species of bird. In particular, it is one of the surviving strongholds of the Black Rhino in a truly wild habitat. The work of Rhino Ark enabled by the funds raised will be of invaluable benefit not only to the Rhino and other wildlife, but also to the 1 in 3 Kenyans who rely on the forest for their livelihood.

So, a donation to me buys you two times the warm fuzzy glow of your average charity pledge!

Please rest assured that all contributions will be well-earned by personal sacrifice and discomfort on my part! As someone who's proudest sporting achievement is the progression from "limited basic skills" to "adequate basic skills" on my high school PE report card, it goes without saying that this is a serious challenge.  And the freezing, icy start to the year hasn't made things any easier...

 

So, you'll get value for money with your donation, no question! Seriously though, the funds raised will be massively important to my charities, and so I urge you to dig deep and donate now.

 

Thanks, and wish me luck!

Duncan

 

PS - in case you're not sure, the picture above is of a rhino-themed "posing pouch". Help me hit my target before marathon day, and I'll take it with me...

 

PPS - monitor my training by joining "Duncan's MSRC/Rhino Ark London Marathon Group" on Facebook.

 

(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.)