Raised: 97%
Target: £600.00
Raised so far: £580.00
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My story

 
Ok. So its my first day at work for READ International.  I arrive early, look keen, make tea, and generally try to give a good first impression.

Rob (my boss) mentions that we still have some spaces to Run for READ in the Royal Parks Half Marathon on the 11th October.

Still riding the wave of my first hour long run 9 days ago I blurt out “I’ll do it!”  Everyone makes surprised, yet impressed faces and I feel rather smug because Im definitely the First Impression Queen,

About 5 minutes later I slyly ask Leila how long a half marathon is (yes, alright, apparently its common knowledge).

“13.5” comes the reply.

“Oh right, 13.5 kilometers, that’s not too bad”.  I say, rashly.

“Actually its 13.5 miles”.

“AH…and that should take how long?”

“About 2 and a half hours”

I can no longer retain my cool and in an over-loud, panicky voice exclaim “2 and a half HOURS...?? OF SOLID RUNNING???”.

They look at me as if Im a moron.

Rob seems rather amused and says; “oh, did I mention that there’s a fundraising commitment of £600 aswell?”  He seems to be enjoying it so, despite the little voice in my head saying “stop it, STOP IT!  DON’T BE LURED IN!!” I say

“Actually that’s fine.  I can probably raise more”.

The voice in my head just sighs.

SO here is my predicament: I have to be trained and fundraised to the tune of 13.5 miles and £600 in 11 weeks.

Thankfully I have some rather generous friends and family members (nudge, nudge) who will ensure my reputation will not lay slumped yards before the finish line and in turn I will ensure that my body will definitely make it through the white tape, although I cant guarantee what state it will be in.

Another thing to be thankful for is that all your money will go to a fantastic cause.  I have volutneered and worked for READ for 3 years now and really believe we are doing a great job.  Watch the video on the link just below the photo to see our work in action - see if you can spot me! - and take a look at our web page at www.readinternational.org.uk.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.

So please dig deep and donate now.  Wish me luck!  PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIFT AID IF YOU PAY TAX!

Love,

Emma

Hey Emma! Well done! Donation by Daniel Wood 06/11/09  

£5.00

Well done Emma - keep up the running - what is yr address so I can send a birthday card Donation by BIG E 05/11/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Philip Wilcox 01/11/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by Tom 27/10/09  

£10.00

Donation by Anonymous 17/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Congratulations Em you did it! So proud to see you run your heart out yesterday, lots of love Mum, Dad (and Gran) xxx Donation by Jane Piper 12/10/09  

£60.00

good luck lovely xxx Donation by Becca 09/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck! X Donation by Will Gibberd 08/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Good luck Pipes! Hope this has taught you to think before you speak...haha!! : ) Lots of love x x x x x x x x x Donation by Sarika 07/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

run like the wind Donation by peta webb 01/10/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

"The long run is what puts the tiger in the cat." Good luck! Hopefully be there to cheer you over the finish line! lots of love xx Donation by Laura Dix 14/09/09  

£10.00

Good luck Em!! xxx Donation by Ria Jones 09/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

With love from Marg and Tim xx Donation by Margaret Moorhouse 26/08/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Oh - what folly !! Having done the moon"walk "earlier this year I am in even more admiration! Good for you - and lots of love from Auntie Sue xx Donation by Sue Heskett 25/08/09  

£60.00 + £16.92 Gift Aid

Dear Em, You're a star - wish there were more like you! Good luck - we'll be cheering for you, love The Woodies xxx Donation by Julie Wood 22/08/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Emma, I hope you achieve your goal as it sounds like a wonderful cause. Donation by Fiona and all the Heards 21/08/09  

£10.00

Run, Emma, run! Good luck with training and I'll see you on the day. Yippee! x Donation by Annika Mills 19/08/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Oh well, best to make a good impression on your first day I suppose! Couldn't you just have bought cakes for everyone! Love Proposals Donation by Amanda Baggott 19/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Hi Emma Good luck and lots of love from the Brookings x Donation by Gavin B 19/08/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

We are all full of admiration. Good luck. Donation by Chris Donovan 18/08/09  

£25.00

Muchas muchas suerte sobrina! Abrazos y besos xx Donation by A Jen and U Rob 18/08/09  

£30.00

Hey Emma! I figured I owe a bit to other fundraisers...hope you're training hard. Good luck! xx Donation by Matthew Rogers 18/08/09  

£5.00

Well done Emma ... I do think you might need some new trainers though! Good luck with training and the run - I've only ever managed a 10K! xx Donation by Jo (Peanut)! xx 17/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Happy to donate to a great cause. The nearest I ever got to a half marathon was sharing a Snickers bar. Hope it goes well! Donation by Gerry Dudgeon 16/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Emma - Its great that there are people like you helping others. Good luck with the new job! Donation by Rose Harvey 16/08/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Nice work Em! Struggle round and we give the fifty squid. Struggle round in under 1 hour and 55 mins and we double it! Go girl.... Donation by Mum and Dad xx 16/08/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

When will you stop being so selfish and start thinking of others? xxx Donation by Jen/David Coulthard 03/08/09  

£10.00

Foolish but good hearted. Hey, there are worse things to be. Good luck! Lots of love, Donation by Tess xxx 30/07/09  

£25.00

Donation by Anonymous 27/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Louise Downs 24/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £580.00
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £107.18

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