<p><strong>I would like to offer a huge thank you to everyone that has sponsored me! I am very greatful and you can be assured that all donations will be put to very good use!</strong></p> <p><strong><br /></strong></p> <p><strong>I ran the half marathon on the 19th June as planned, coming in at 1 hour 37 minutes 54 seconds and really enjoyed the whole&nbsp;</strong><strong>experence.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>For my write up on the run please visit ;</strong></p> <p><strong><a href="http://www.projectaware.org/blog/mattyroberts/jun-20-11/torbay-half-marathon-%C2%A3600-and-counting">http://www.projectaware.org/blog/mattyroberts/jun-20-11/torbay-half-marathon-%C2%A3600-and-counting</a></strong></p> <p><strong><br /></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a name="_GoBack"></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Thank you for taking time to visit my</span>just giving page, so I can share with you the journey I have embarked on for marine conservation that has lead me here. Training for my first ever half marathon.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I have always had a huge interest in the natural world and I am now fortunate enough to give something back to what has given me so much.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This year I was kindly offered one of just two positions as a marine conservation activist at my local dive centre. We are trying to raise funds and awareness for marine conservation. Working in partnership with Project AWARE (Whom I will be donating all sponsors to) we are organising several beach and underwater clean ups, surveys, data collection, awareness talks, fund raising events and many other activities. To help raise funds I am taking part in the Torbay half marathon on 19^th June.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Any donations big or small will be kindly received, if you do not feel comfortable donating online, I will also be collecting sponsors with an old fashioned pen and paper.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Please do not feel obliged to give, I understand that this is not of direct interest to all, but the impact of a healthy and stable ocean will greatly benefit each and every one of us.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">For more information on our conservation activities and how to get involved</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Please visit; </span><a href="http://www.divecourses.co.uk/">http://www.divecourses.co.uk</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Or email me at; </span><a href="mailto:matty_roberts_uk@yahoo.co.uk"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">matty_roberts_uk@yahoo.co.uk</span></a><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Project AWARE Information;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Project AWARE Foundation conserves underwater environments through education, advocacy and action.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Project AWARE Foundation is a registered non-profit organization. In partnership with scuba divers and water enthusiasts, Project AWARE offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland and Japan combine efforts to conserve aquatic resources in more than 180 countries and territories of the world.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Project AWARE Foundation works in partnership with divers and water enthusiasts to combat challenges facing underwater environments. Project AWARE and dedicated volunteers are committed to conservation initiatives including:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Underwater Cleanups and Marine Debris Prevention</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Coral Reef Conservation, Monitoring and Data Collection</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Shark Education, Reporting and Conservation</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Improved Management Policies and Marine Protection Efforts</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Environmental Training for Divers and Education Programs for Kids</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more information on project aware please visit; <a href="http://www.projectaware.org/">http://www.projectaware.org/</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>