Nicola Barnett

Nicola's 2010 London Marathon Challenge

Fundraising for Panos

Story

On Sunday I completed the 30th London Marathon. It was mental and physical torture and an unbelievably emotional day. Seeing my family at the 18th mile was just the push that I needed to complete the last 8 miles.

At mile 23 my knees were the size of balloons and I seriously doubted that I would finish, but having promised Zachary that I would get him a medal meant that I had to carry on. Unfortunately I could no longer run and had to walk the last 3 miles which in itself took 1hour 45 mins!!

I pushed myself to run across the finish line and finished in 6hours 20mins far longer than I wanted and without the injured knees probably would have finished in about 5hours 15. But the thing is I did it.

The support from the crowds and the other runners is something I could never have imagined and very emotional.

Thank you everyone

About the charity

Panos

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 297366

www.panos.org.uk

Communicating how you feel about issues affecting your life is something that many people take for granted but millions of poor and marginalised people around the world never get the chance to have their voices heard. Millions also don't have access to the information that they desperately need to make informed decisions about their lives. At Panos London we believe that whether the problem is HIV and AIDS, climate change, civil conflict or poverty, poor people in developing countries have a right to know about, debate and have a say in decisions that affect their lives. Panos London is part of the worldwide Panos Network of independent institutes working to promote the active participation of poor and marginalised people in finding solutions to the problems they face, through media and communication projects. Our work helps to ensure that people in developing countries are included in decision-making processes and have access to the information they need to improve their lives.