On Thursday 8 July 2010 I will be running a half marathon around the inside track of Folkestone Racecourse on a race day before racing. (Just over 11 laps of the track.) I am the Racecourse Manager at Folkestone and after my run will be carrying on with my race day duties. It won’t be the most interesting of half marathons and I will be running it on my own. It will be a lonely slog, but it is not meant to be easy. Others have had far worse challenges than this, like the injured jockeys.
Fate, albeit a very painful fate got me to where I am today. That and , PR Director of Arena Leisure who gave me the job at Folkestone Racecourse back in 2003. In early 2003 I had a riding accident and fell from a sprinter whilst exercising. I broke T9 and 10 of my spine and had 5 months off work. The very day I went back to work as a Sales Manager I was made redundant and that was the start of my journey which led me to Folkestone Racecourse.
Racing is very much in my blood as my grandfather was one of those kamikaze point to point riders from the farming industry so I was brought up around racing most of my life and still spend every Saturday afternoon glued to the racing channel when I’m not working. (I used do this when I was knee high to a grass hopper and its something I have continued to do)
Although I ride, I’m no jockey, but I was one of the lucky ones when I had my fall. Fate took me to a job that I am very passionate about and that I enjoy immensely and I would now like to help others that haven’t been so fortunate.
Jockeys risk their lives every day and The Injured Jockeys Fund is such an important charity to those who have been injured.
For over 44 years, The Injured Jockeys Fund has provided medical, financial and pastoral care, to jockeys (their spouses, or dependants) who have suffered through injury. There is no time or financial limit to this care which is there for as long as is necessary. Fortunately not all cases are of the severest nature, however in some instances injuries have been catastrophic, changing a jockeys life forever.
The Fund responds quickly to all cases where help is required. Last year, they provided help to over 500 injured jockeys of which 35 were new cases. Individual circumstances tend to be quite different and so require varying levels and types of support, but whatever the need, the IJF will always ensure the closest of care and attention.
Please help me raise as much money as possible to help fund this very important charity.
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.
update - 16/02/2010
Today I have arranged my first aider and the marshalls that need to be present when I am running my half marathon. You have to have them these days for Health and safety reasons. Neil Seymour from the Elham Valley Lions has kindly agreed to help out with the marshalling and the bucket collection on the day! Ran two miles tonight. I know it doesnt sound alot but the paths still have ice and snow on them.
26 May 2010 Training is going very well. Had a few twinges in my achilles and in my back but nothing to worry about. I wasnt expecting to get through my training pain free I must admit! I am up to 10.5 miles in my training which I found really easy so I am now focusing myself on raising some money which is what this is all about! Oh and mentally preparing myself for laps......... apparently that will be the hardest part!!
