My story

Running 26.2 miles, it turns out, was a piece of cake. Finishing the 2012 Virgin London Marathon last April (in 4:23) was easy, compared with (A) training for it in New York in February and March, (B) training for it at all in Austin during SXSW, and (C) raising 5k GBP for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, with the help of 103 of my closest friends and family.

 

So now, I’m gearing up to do this again (trying to break 4:16), racking up the miles to date in a cyclone in Sydney, a blizzard in NYC, and in Central Park with the raccoons and other semi-sketchy nocturnal wildlife. And I’m going to ask you again to sponsor my training and my marathon with a donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. It’s going to be harder this year, I imagine, without the novelty of my virgin effort. I think you’ll agree that I’ve been pretty good about supporting your charities and cookie drives over the years, and I’ve never asked anything myself until now. And this part of it is really, really hard for me.

 

Now as ever, running and donating are far easier than what EJAF has accomplished in 20+ years. They’ve helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars for those living through the health crisis of our lifetime. They’ve also raised awareness of the causes and effects of HIV, helped remove the associated stigma around the world, and provided financial support to millions of those affected. Elton himself told the International AIDS Conference last year, “The AIDS disease is caused by HIV. But the AIDS epidemic is caused by stigma, violence, and indifference.” I’m proud to work for a company that’s done so much for tolerance and relief around the world. And I’m proud of my friends, who’ve demonstrated their compassion and concern by sponsoring the small part I’ll be playing for the second year.

 

Thanks again for helping the Elton John AIDS Foundation work toward its goal of an AIDS Free Future. It looks like Just Giving has made it easier to donate in dollars this year (just the way I like it: no math). And you can check out the EJAF website for more info on the incredible work they do: http://ejaf.com/about/

My gallery 3

My Team

Team photo
Elton John AIDS Foundation

My company

My charity

Elton John AIDS Foundation

Elton John AIDS Foundation

Charity Registration No. 1017336

AIDS is the most devastating modern day disease. By the end of the 20th century, 50 years worth of public health gains were annihilated by AIDS, which continues to destroy lives. Our vision today, is to create an AIDS free future through science, support and most of all compassion.

Donations 100

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Good luck Mike!!! You've got 4:10 in the bag. I want to see a completely knackered picture of you at the finish line. All the best!!!

Donation by Jaime Gough & all at Native Tongue on 19/04/13

$100.00

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Best of luck Mike! From Brett & the team at Artist Voice

Donation by Brett Murrihy on 19/04/13

$50.00

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Good Luck!

Donation by Emma Quigley on 19/04/13

$30.00

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Good Luck Mike! Have a great race.

Donation by Jeffrey April on 18/04/13

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as Drake would say, "youdafuckingbest." Run Forrest run. Do it for Johnny man. Do or do not, there is no try. I'll stop with the quotes now.

Donation by Kevin Hershey on 18/04/13

$50.00

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Have a great race Uncle Mike, be safe! We love you. Jen, Howie & Sawyer xo

Donation by Jennifer Pivar on 17/04/13

$50.00

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Good luck!

Donation by Frank Presland on 17/04/13

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Good luck Mike!

Donation by Kristen Fraser on 17/04/13

$20.00

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Hey Mike, best of luck! Run like the wind!. Div

Donation by Robert Divney on 17/04/13

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Run, Mike, run!

Donation by Scott Carty on 17/04/13

$50.00

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Go, Mike, Go! Good Luck, we're all rooting for you!

Donation by Dennis Blair on 16/04/13

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On behalf of all of us at Paradigm, run like the wind.

Donation by Jonathan Adelman on 16/04/13

$500.00

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Good luck, Mike! Great cause.

Donation by Mark Simek on 16/04/13

Donation by Jon Cohen on 16/04/13

$100.00

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Have a great trip and run...God Bless

Donation by Brian Interland on 16/04/13

$100.00

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Travel safe and run safe Mike. Best of luck!

Donation by Jeffrey Gillis on 16/04/13

$30.00

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have fun, be safe and thank you for doing this! I love you

Donation by lisa mastrianni on 16/04/13

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In loving memory of Jack Barbis.

Donation by Edwina Barbis on 16/04/13

$200.00

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Donation by Jim & Lori Anderson on 16/04/13

$50.00

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Good luck this weekend Mike... Run safe, run free, run for Boston...

Donation by lorraine caruso on 16/04/13

$20.00

Donation by Bill Burrs on 16/04/13

$20.00

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Go Mike go! You're amazing! The old man is proud!

Donation by Aunt Ellie on 14/04/13

$25.00

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Enjoy your run and smoothly better your time.

Donation by Mark Schoenwald on 14/04/13

$30.00

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Kick it hard for the Brown Dirt Cowboy!! Hope Boston's cool weather today makes it to London for race day.

Donation by Thom Freeman, Jr. on 13/04/13

$26.00

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Good luck Mike

Donation by Brad Henrick on 12/04/13

$20.00

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£4,999.89
  • Offline donations£3,065.65
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£8,065.54
  • Gift Aid£107.50

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.