HELLO EVERYONE! WELCOME TO MY FUNDRAISING PAGE!

15th March 2010
Well I did it! On Sunday 14th I took part in the world's first Kilomathon as a training event for this upcoming marathon. It was 26.2 km (about 16 miles) and to be honest it put the hard work I need to do for the marathon into perspective.
The wind was against us most of the way, and the second half was pretty much UPHILL! I was really starting hurt by the 18th kilometre, and by the 22nd I pretty much felt like I was dragging my right leg behind me. Blisters were the least of my worries. I also choked from my water going down the wrong way and had a major panic because I couldn't breathe. I managed to hide it from the officials though (last thing I wanted was to be pulled out of the race so close to the end).
When I crossed the finish line I cried. Briefly of course, I'm too cool for a massive cry :). The emotion was just overwhelming.
I finished it in just under 3.5 hrs, which was on target for me. I got my finishers medal and t-shirt which you will see in the new pics I've put up on the group, please have a look.

What intimidates me more than anything now is that I must run an additional ten miles, on top of what I did on Sunday, to complete the Edinburgh Marathon. I am really going to need some support and cheering on!
Now I've got the Kilomathon out of the way I'm going to knuckle down with the fundraising. Next thing to organise is my doughnut sale, I'll keep you posted on that. I'm going to try to get me a press release too. Please visit my fundraising site if you haven't already. It's www.justgiving.com/Helen-Becconsall. Please watch the videos on the group page if you haven't already (just click on the video tab). If you want to donate some money to my Guide Dogs fund but not online, then inbox me and we'll sort it out.
Thank you everyone for your support so far. It really helps me get through training.

I'll update you again soon,
Loadsa Love,
Helen B
xxx

On 23rd May 2010, I will be doing the Edinburgh Marathon. If I complete this marathon I will be fulfilling a big ambition of mine. Aside from the personal reward, I also want to take this opportunity to raise money for charity, namely The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.

I chose this charity for a number of reasons. I wanted to help a charity that isn't one of the first people would think of generally. The charities I see being advertised most are cancer charities (I have done the Race for Life for Cancer Research), so I thought it would be nice to pay due attention to something a bit different for me.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association do amazing work for blind and partially sighted people. They help to mobilise, rehabilitate, build confidence, and give independence to those who would struggle in life without this aid. The dogs themselves of course play a massive part in all this too, being so well trained and loyal. I love dogs (if you hadn't guessed!) and that is another reason that I would like to help this charity. They even campaign for equal rights for the blind and partially sighted, and fund research into eye health. The humans that is - not the dogs :)

What happens with your donations?

£1.30 - helps feed a puppy for a day
£5 - buys a puppy grooming kit
£10 - buys a lead for a Guide Dogs mobility instructor
£25 - provides two dog beds
£60 - buys a harness, handle, lead, collar, and a bell
£100 - provides four long canes
£250 - feeds a guide dog for a year
£600 - provides training for one visually-impaired person - My Target!
£1000 - co-sponsors a guide dog puppy - Wouldn't this be mega?
£2500 - co-sponsors a guide dog
£5000 - supports a working guide dog - It's not impossible ;)

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/    This is the official charity website.

Thank you all very much for visiting my fundraising page. In addition to the marathon I will also be doing England's first Kilomathon (which is 26.2 kilometres as opposed to 26.2 miles in the normal marathon) on 14th March. I also have other ideas for smaller events and fundraisers to do before the big marathon finale! I will keep you all up to date with how I'm getting on with videos and photos. If anyone I know fancies helping out with a fundraiser sometime let me know.

If my efforts are worthy of a donation to a beyond worthy cause, then please don't hesitate to donate. Ha, that's a good little line: 'Donate, don't hesitate'. Below is a bit of info on donating through JustGiving.


Thanks again and lots of love


Helen B xxx

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.