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Update 25th April 2010. Yesterday I completed the marathon in a time of 3 hours 20 minutes 4 seconds. I was very pleased with the time, although I am feeling pretty stiff and sore today. So if you were waiting to see if I could do it - it is not too late to donate. Thank you to all of you who have donated so far. Iain
I will be rowing the marathon distance of26 miles, 385 yards or 42,195m on an indoor rowing machine as part of the Concept 2 Indoor Rowing Marathon Day which takes place on or around the day of the London Marathon. I am doing it in aid of the National Gulf Veterans and Family Association (NGVFA).
Why an indoor rowing marathon? Simply becasue I can't run one due to various knee injuries and this is a close equivalent. Ever since I saw the first London marathon I have wanted to try and complete one and this is the way for me to meet that challenge. I have been training since September and I hope to complete the distance in under 3 hours 30 minutes.
Why NGVFA? This is the serious bit. The NGVFA help support veterans of both Gulf/Iraq wars (90-91; 03-09) and the current conflict in Afghanistan. They help the veterans and their families who are suffering from a range of physical and mental illnesses as a result of their service . The NGVFA provide support, information, advocacy and counselling to help improve the daily lives of the veterans and their families. They also host an annual respite week, where the veterans and their families can get together in a safe environment to share experiences and relieve some of the stress their daily lives bring. Most of the veterans helped by the NGVFA are too ill to work.
My brother-in-law is one of these veterans. When I first met Nick he was a young man full of energy and life, fully commited to his career in the Army. He had served in the 1st Gulf War as well as Northern Ireland and was later to serve in Bosnia. Nick and I became firm friends and it was NIck who got me riding motorbikes again and we toured France, Ireland and Scotland together. Unfortunately for Nick, his health has deteriorated significantly over the past few years. He was medically discharged from the Army, but managed to hold down a job at a call centre for a number of years, but eventually had to give that up as well. Now he struggles to look after himself on a day to day basis (motorbiking is a distant memory) and relies on his family to support and at times physically care for him. Nick will not be 40 until September.
Nick and his family have been greatly helped by the NGVFA both in terms of securing financial support and practical help. He has been to several respite breaks, which have helped him greatly and realise he isn't suffering alone.
For more information on the NGVFA please visit www.ngvfa.com
Please help me to help the NGVFA by sponsoring me. Thank you. Iain.
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