***Update 2nd May**** Well, we did it. On Sunday 18th April, the four Mokum Marathoners lined up at the start of the Brighton Marathon in bright sunshine unsure of what the next few hours would hold with the thoughts of have I drunk enough, do I really need to going to the toilet again and have I vas'd in all the right places going through our heads. A little under 5 hours later, we had all finished and were enjoying a well deserved beer (which of course aids in the recovery!).

The force five gales that we were anticipating didn't materialise and we were left with a perfect and calm although maybe a little warm day to run. Due to good weather though, there were thousands of people lining the streets to cheer on the runners which really helped spur everyone on to the finish which made for an unbelievable atmosphere along the whole route.

First across the line was David in 3hrs 35mins following quickly by Paul 'Evo' Evans in 3hrs 37mins. Rob crossed the line in 4hrs 2mins and Stuart, after a number of stops due to a torn calf muscle, came in, in 4hrs 54mins. It was a fantastic day that will live long in the memories. There are a couple of pictures to prove that we were there and that we did survive!

Many, many thanks to everyone that was kind enough to sponsor us, you have all been amazing.

***Update 25th March*** Many, many thanks to everyone that has sponsored the four of us over the past month or so, your kindness and generosity has truely astounded us. As we have reached our original target of £2,000 and there is still a month to go until our little 'jaunt' around the south coast, we have decided to raise the target to £3,000 so we can raise as much as possible for the neonatal unit at St Thomas's. Thanks again!! MM

Thank you for visiting the Mokum Marathoners' fundraising site, we really appreciate you taking time out to view our page.

As you can see, we have set ourselves the challenge of running the Brighton Marathon on the 18th April 2010, 26.2 miles of fun around the streets of the Sussex town by the sea. If any of you know Brighton, you know that it is not the flattest of areas and with the potential for a force 5 to be blowing off the English Channel, it's gonna be tough!

We are putting ourselves through this to raise money for the neonatal department at St Thomas's Hospital. On the 23rd December 2009, little Lewis Jefferies was born very prematurely after 24 weeks and 5 days. He weighed just 630 grams. Since he was born, he has overcome a number of obstacles and has come through fighting. When he was born, he wasn't breathing and didn't have a heartbeat. He was resuscitated by the expertise of the neonatal team at St Thomas's but as a result of one the life saving procedures, he developed a blood clot in femoral artery and on Christmas Eve, his parents Jackie and Richard were told that there was permanent damage to his leg (which could have lead to having his leg amputated). There were two options to deal with the blood clot with one where the procedure would certainly cause a brain haemorrhage. After eight weeks, Lewis still has his leg and the team are monitoring him as it is unsure what the residual damage may be.

This is not though the only battles that Lewis has had to endure. So far, his treatment during his short life has included...

17 blood transfusions

3 lumber punctures

Antibiotics to treat 5 infections

A ventilator to keep him breathing

4 attempts to help him breathe on his own

Living in an incubator

Numerous eye sight tests

Numerous blood tests, gases & cultures

A thyroid test

A liver test

2 long lines

 

All this has been made possible by the 160+ team at St Thomas's neonatal department and it is certain that Lewis owes his life to these people. These guys need our help to continue to provide the level of care that Lewis has received and for every baby that needs it. The incubator that Lewis has spent his life in cost £18k alone so they can use whatever money we can raise. 

So who are the Mokum Marathoners? Let me introduce them.....

Firstly we have Paul, a marathon virgin, who as a Brighton and Hove supporter, knows the town like the back of his hand. He has promised that he won't use this knowledge to skip the odd mile here or there when no one is looking. 

We then have David, who like Paul is a virgin on the marathon circuit. David is currently enjoying his training but is not looking forward to the weather improving as he will have to find another excuse for wearing tights.

Following swiftly is Stuart who is a 'seasoned' marathon runner having completed the Edinburgh marathon last year. OK, that is his only one to date but is looking forward to getting another one under his belt in Brighton.....a marathon that is. Stuart is an honorary Mokumite having transferred from the Rothschild's running club this winter.

And finally we have Rob, the Grandaddy of the group (that's in terms of the number of marathons he has run, not his age.....honest!). Rob has run so many marathons that when he counts the number that he has competed in, he now has to count them on his toes as well as his fingers, well he is an accountant.

Well, that's us. We are currently out there, pounding the cold, wet and dark streets, a number of times a week, trying to get into some shape to run this race.

We are looking at raising as much as we can for St Thomas's so if you can sponsor us and it doesn't matter how little, it would greatly appreciated. Your money will be going to a great cause and will motivate the four of us on those long training runs.

Thanks again,
Paul, David, Stuart and Rob aka "The Mokum Marathoners"......and little Lewis.