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Michael's London Marathon Run in memory of his Dad
I'm running for Macmillan Cancer Support because they do great work for cancer sufferers.
Event: Virgin London Marathon 2012 on 22/04/2012
£4,030.00 raised of £4,000.00 target
152 donations
My Target:
£4,000.00
£4,030.00 raised so far
How to make a donation
Donate online at - www.justgiving.com/MichaelDobsonFlexercise
By mobile internet Scan this code on your smartphone to go straight to Michael Dobson's page.
By text message to donate £10 Text £10
to 70070
My story
My Story
I had a Dad who was my worst critic! He picked out every mistake and hardly ever mentioned the positives after every football game he came to watch. At the time I couldn't understand this and it made it difficult to talk to him after every football match I played. What I've realised since, is that all he wanted was to see me be the best I could be and it was his words that made me better, stronger and more determined to be a winner. Although at times I didn't appreciate them, now I do....but it's too late!
I have many regrets towards the relationship I had with my Dad and now it's time to put it right. This is my chance to tell you why I want to run in memory of such an incredible man......
When playing for Walsall F.C four years ago, my Dad was fighting a battle with cancer for the third time. After being a footballer himself, being very fit and never smoking, my family and I were devastated and never thought it would happen to him. He lived on the south coast of England so I didn't see him often as I lived a couple of hours away, which meant he couldn't get to see me play for Walsall much and when I lifted the League Two Championship Trophy as the captain of Walsall FC, he wasn't there to see it. Like I said, he was my worst critic but all he ever wanted was to see me succeed! At the time his criticism made me scared to speak to him too much about football over the phone, as he always picked out my errors, but little did I know there would come a day SOON, when I could only see his name on my phone but not be able to call him and hear his voice, as he's not there anymore!
Towards the end I received a call telling me he had been taken into hospital and it was time, so I dropped everything to get there before it happened. He never opened his eyes again so I never got to say goodbye, see him smile or just see his eyes acknowledge me one last time, but he was still breathing when I arrived.
The doctors told us he had enough sedatives to sedate a horse just to get him to sleep so he was comfortable, as he fought so much! My family were already there so I know he was waiting for me to get there. I sat next to him and held his hand for long periods through the night until the sun was rising. It was an amazing red sunset which was so fitting and we all took a photo of it which I still have on my phone, it just seemed right! (The picture is in the photo's and was taken shortly before my Dad passed away) After the photo we all sat back round my Dad and opened the back door of his room which had a beautiful green just outside. It was very peaceful and as my Dad was a nature lover it was something he would have wanted, to be able to smell the fresh air. It seemed like my Dad was a magnet to all things beautiful and with the doors open, squirrels began to creep through the door searching for food. My Dad would have been in his element and this was just what he would have wanted.
Minutes later whilst holding my Dad's hand he took his last breath. I can remember thinking as my eyes filled up "Come on Dad, one more breath, inhale again.....don't leave me!"
My Dad passed away at the age of 58 on 10th September 2007 and my world stopped....I was crushed! I had so many regrets that I never put right, one of which was that I never thanked him for all his help in my career, but most of all, I was too much of a man to tell him I loved him and I was proud to have him as my Dad.
My gift to my Dad was to achieve something and give a little back, so at his funeral I buried my Championship medal with him. That was my thank you for the lessons he had taught me and for making me who I am today.
Since that day I've lived with regrets and I've realised that life is too short to say "I'm thinking about doing it!" when you might not get the chance. I have been talking about the London Marathon since I was a boy and I used to watch it with my Dad. Football always prevented me from taking part in it. Since retiring through knee injuries it looked even less likely that I would be able to do it. But now I am grabbing my chance and I am ready to prove I can do it and raise as much money for Macmillan Cancer Support to help the people and the friends and families of those that have had cancer or are fighting the battle right now.
This has always been a very personal story and one which I have never shared outside of my family until now! All I ask is that you support me in my fundraising and donate as much as you can spare to help me run for such a worthy cause. It doesn't have to be a lot, just what you can afford and I guarantee, I WILL NOT LET ANY OF YOU DOWN!
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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So please dig deep and donate now! If you can't afford to donate, all I ask is you share this page with your friends and family, thank you.
My gallery 7
My updates 2
Not long to go and I'm starting to get a little nervous! There's been a sudden increase in donations recently and I'd like to thank you all for your donations and support, especially Walsall And Brentford supporters who have added to my total over the last few days. Thanks : )
Just 19 days to go! I just want to thank everyone that has donated so far and for all your support along the way. I really appreciate it.
My charity
Macmillan Cancer Support
Charity Registration No. 261017
Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. We provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. We are all affected by cancer. We can all help. We are Macmillan.
Donations 152
Great charity, incredibly moving 'my story' and so very, very familiar. Utter respect to you sir! See you at the start line!
Donation by Tom Langlands on 20/04/12
Good luck Mike we will be cheering you on from home!!
Donation by Hannah Coleman on 20/04/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Enjoy the day. Thanks for the memories at Griffin Park
Donation by John Meade on 20/04/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck Michael and have fun :)
Donation by Juliet Vincent (Desire Tattoo Bags) on 20/04/12
£25.00
Good Luck Michael. Enjoy the day.
Donation by Lily and Reg Wheeler on 20/04/12
£20.00
Donation by Malcolm Higgs on 19/04/12
£50.00
+ £12.50 Gift Aid
Best of Luck for the Marathon. Soak up the atmosphere as its amazing and enjoy that home straight. Your Dad would be very proud.
Donation by Ian Swanton on 18/04/12
£26.00
+ £6.50 Gift Aid
Good luck
Donation by Jenny Stone on 18/04/12
£10.00
Hey Michael, Good luck, Michelle
Donation by Michelle Howie on 18/04/12
£5.00
Goo on Dobbo!! There's nothing more a Saddler can ask than giving your all, graft, heart and hard work, give it in spades son!!
Donation by Craig Coyne on 17/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck on Sunday
Donation by Carol Scully on 17/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Best of luck for Sunday. No gain without pain-isn't that what you say to us on Tuesday evenings!
Donation by Gordon Polson on 17/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
I sat next to your DAD at school in 1959. two Bees legends in one family- He was, and is SO proud of you I'm sure ...... Good luck Dobbo!.
Donation by John Habes on 12/04/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Thank you to Kate McNeill for her kind donation in person today & for some marathon tips. Hope to see you finishing on race day with a PB.
Donation by Kate McNeill on 12/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck Dobbo. You were a fine player & captain for the Bees.
Donation by Trevor Grover on 12/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good Luck Michael, Inspirational story about your father. Enjoy the day!
Donation by Kier Saunders on 12/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck Michael. You are an inspiration!
Donation by Jackie Fanning on 11/04/12
Happy memories of you and your father playing for the Bees. Best of luck with your run and for the future.
Donation by Frank Barry on 11/04/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck Dobo Enjoy the day Up the Bees!!!!
Donation by peter rance on 11/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck to you.I have great Memories watching you and your Dad.
Donation by Paul Darius on 11/04/12
£5.00
+ £1.25 Gift Aid
Great to hear from you Michael. There couldn`t be a better cause, nor inspiration. I`m sure other Bees fans will support you also once they know.
Donation by Peter Gilham on 11/04/12
£20.00
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Well how could I not donate after reading that. Your Dad would be very proud.
Donation by Julie Stuart on 10/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
There you go - hit 3 hours 20 and I'll double it! Best of luck,
Donation by katie christensen on 10/04/12
£26.00
+ £6.50 Gift Aid
Dobbo, good luck with the marathon.
Donation by Anonymous Walsall Supporter on 08/04/12
£5.00
+ £1.25 Gift Aid
Big respect for what you're doing. All the best as you push through the pain barrier to help so many. Your dad would be proud of you.
Donation by Dave Evans (Sadlad Walsall web-fans) on 08/04/12
£10.00
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Donation summary
- * Online donations£4,030.00
- Offline donations£0.00
- Text donations£0.00
- Total raised£4,030.00
- Gift Aid£717.05
* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.
