Fitmums & Friends started in 2009 with 5 like minded girls meeting up for a run. Now, in 2012 it has 270+ members and supports people of all abilities to run, walk or buggy burn. This year 6 Fitmums members will be taking on the ultimate challenge - the marathon. Neil, Yvonne, Hazel & Laney are taking part in the Hull marathon on April 8th. Mike & Sam are competing in the London marathon on April 22nd. We will all be running for Charlie Hook. Please please help us to help Charlie by donating - if you see us out plodding the streets - give us a beep, we need all the help we can get but we are SO determined to do this - Charlie deserves it! Everyone of the Fitmums members taking part has their own story..read on to find out more.

Mike Barlow - Why am I running another marathon? I'll tell you why:- When i was in my hospital bed recovering after my first traumatic operation to have a huge tumour removed, i remember looking out of the window of my ward and seeing people going about their normal lives and wishing it was me, well at the moment i can go about my normal life, so why waste the opportunity to actually be able to help the life of a child who is a lot worse off than me by doing something i love (running), and feel alive at the same time. This is to help Charlie feel like i do, so please help. Thank You. Mike

Sam Barlow

I'm amazed to be doing this marathon..i did London about 10 years ago and said never again! What am i doing?!!! But i'm inspired to do it for a couple of reasons. My husband Mike has survived two life threatening operations to remove a very rare tumour. He is the most inspiring man i know. He has strength that i can only admire and after all he has been through in the last few years it is truly wonderful that we are able to both be taking part in the most amazing event. He lives with the tumour and no-one knows how fast it will grow again but Mike has the best spirit - he just ignores it and gets on. I can't imagine what Charlie and his family are going through, our experience is tiny in comparison but i just know as a mum i am  compelled to help in some way. My other inspiration is that when i started what was to become Fitmums & Friends i had NO idea it would turn into an affiliated running club with more than 270 members - i never imagined i'd be getting a club place for the London marathon through a club that just sort of grew! I will feel proud to be wearing my Fitmums vest on the day - the first time a Fitmums & Friend vest will be seen plodding the streets of the London marathon (i will leave racing to the others!). Thank you hugely for anything you can donate to Charlie. Sam

Hazel Tuck

I can't believe that I am running the Hull Marathon as I only started running with Cottingham Fitmums and Friends in January 2011. I started in the 1 mile group and was neither fit or a Mum!! Ironically I took up running as a way to help improve my state of mind when I had not been able to conceive. Running has done so much more than improve my state of mind, it has helped me lose weight, gain confidence, make loads of new friends and given me a strength both mentally and physically that I didn't know I had.

I wanted to set myself a massive challenge during 2012 and running the marathon for Charlie just seemed like too good an opportunity to miss. When the training gets tough I think of Charlie to help get me through. I have had loads of support from my family and friends although most of them think that i am a little crazy! I would tend to agree with them but it's worth doing something crazy for Charlie. So please give what you can to help......many thanks. Hazel x

Laney Clucas

Neil Thompson

I joined Fitmums and Friends in 2010, starting in the 3 mile group. Joining Fitmums has really improved my running and my confidence. I have gradually worked my way up to be running confidently in the 6 mile group. Last year I set myself the goal of completing the humber half marathon, which I did, this year I have set myself the challenge of completing the Hull Marathon. Through the support and encouragement of training with Fitmums I am confident I will achieve this goal. As a proud father of a 2 year old and a 6 week old baby, running in aid of such a good cause as the Charlie Hook appeal gives me an extra incentive to work hard and complete the marathon. Please support us. Neil

Yvonne Allman

This will be my first marathon. I started off running with Fitmums in the 4 mile group and i soon came to realise how much more fun running is when you do it with company. I'm really pleased with how i have progressed and can't quite believe i'm heading for the Hull marathon. I'm a mum of two lovely girls and i want to do my bit for Charlie. Please please support our Fitmums team. Yvonne