My story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my sponsorship page. You have come this far so hopefully my story will encourage you to support a really worthwhile cause.

Helping Those Who Are Too Little To Help Themselves

Every year thousands of children are born prematurely, some very premature. During this time they need support and care to get through those critical hours, days, weeks and months to grow and get stronger. Along the way they receive a lot of support from loving friends, family and exceptionally dedicated medical staff. They also require many specialist pieces of medical equipment that is often quite expensive. Bliss helps by providing funding and support for all this and a lot, lot more. (http://www.bliss.org.uk/)

Ethan’s Marathon

In January 2007 my sister gave birth to twins, Erin and Ethan, 15 weeks and 3 days premature. Erin weighed 1lb 8 ounces and Ethan 1lb 10 ounces, both were no bigger than your hand. Being so little they faced a tough journey to grow and become strong enough to get by on their own. They both fought very hard every day. Some of those days were very good days filled with smiles and it really brought us closer as a family. Ethan charmed us with his cheeky smile and Erin took it all in her stride with her laid back approach.

Unfortunately after 223 days it was time for Ethan to stop fighting. It hit everyone hard, we did a lot of crying and questioning and for a while life wasn’t all that much fun. Time has helped us heal but every now and again it still hurts . (Trust me, writing this is the hardest thing I have ever done!)

But there are also a lot of positives that have come from this. Erin continues to thrive, she is now 3 and eats everything! As a family we are a lot stronger and closer than ever. Marie (Erin and Ethan’s mum) does a lot of great work to support others going through their own personal struggles. (http://ethan-perry.gonetoosoon.org/memorial) And I have another excuse to put my body through punishment, do some pretty extreme things and meet some fantastic new people, whilst raising money for a great cause.

The 223 Challenge

So what’s the 223 Challenge? Simply put I’m going to run 223 Marathons in memory of Ethan and all those other little ones born too early to win their own personal marathons. That’s one marathon for each day that Ethan fought his brave fight. I know what you are thinking: He is crazy, needs his head checking, overly ambitious, it’s bad for his legs and it’s going to take ages! And guess what, I would say yes to all of the above!!! But it is also going to be a lot of fun and will hopefully help others along the way.

My first marathon in this challenge was in London in April 2009. Since then I have continued to add to the total, having just done Boddington Marathon the current marathon count stands at 19.

I never got to hold Ethan, but he is with me every day. He sits on my shoulder, giggles in my ear and gives me a pat on the back when I get tired. These runs are for my family, Ethan and for me, but they are also a great way to raise money for Bliss and the cause they represent. I WILL get them done and would really appreciate your support on this journey, donating to Bliss would be the best way possible.

I hope this has encouraged you to donate to a really worthwhile cause. At the very least, I hope you have been touched by Erin and Ethan’s story and are encouraged to go away and give somebody you love a hug and a great big smile. I will be smiling every time I run.

Thanks for reading.

Noel.

My gallery 3

My Teams

My company

My charity

Bliss, for babies born too soon, too small, too sick

Bliss, for babies born too soon, too small, too sick

Charity Registration No. 1002973, Registered Scottish Charity SC040878

Bliss is the UK charity for premature and sick babies. We offer guidance and information at a critical time in families' lives and we also fund ground-breaking research and campaign for babies to receive the best possible level of care regardless of when and where they are born.

Donations 168

Hello Noel,Andy the Cab driver here that took you from Euston the other day,as promised here's a few quid towards your worthy cause.

Donation by Andy Grant on 10/12/11

£15.00

+ £3.75 Gift Aid

Hi mate, was a pleasure to run with you on Sunday and a brilliant cause, really hope you reach your target.

Donation by John Yelland on 04/10/11

£25.00

+ £6.25 Gift Aid

Thanks for a much needed 'pep talk' during the Robin Hood marathon. I finished in 5:05:15, due in no small part to your encouragement, Thanks.

Donation by Tony Clarke on 12/09/11

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

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Fantastic effort for a great cause. Both my boys were born premature.....and their names Ethan & Aaron Good luck!

Donation by Keith N on 06/04/11

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Wonderful cause! Good luck!

Donation by samantha Evans on 06/04/11

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I too had a premature baby called Ethan born 15 wks & 4 days early and who fought hard for 107 days. This is an amazing achievement. Good Luck!!

Donation by Sarah Walliss on 05/04/11

£107.00

+ £30.18 Gift Aid

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Wow! The very best of luck to you!

Donation by Eileen Gallagher on 05/04/11

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I was really touched by your story when I saw it on the news. Good luck and keep on running

Donation by Tejinder Khera on 05/04/11

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Good luck!

Donation by Jonathan Douglas-Green on 05/04/11

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Move over Forrest Gump - best of luck fella!

Donation by Sean Murtagh on 11/03/11

£20.00

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Noel - I don't think you are mad but just one of rare breed of people who genuinely have compassion. Amanda

Donation by Amanda Jemmett on 11/02/11

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Good luck Noel!

Donation by George Gibson on 18/01/11

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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Noel,what you are doing is incredible. I wish you all the luck in the world.

Donation by Jamie Rowe on 22/10/10

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Good luck Noel. 223 marathons! Inspirational.

Donation by Derek Nelson on 16/09/10

£22.30

+ £6.29 Gift Aid

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Wow...223 marathons is a phenomenal commitment, good luck! Jodi and Nigel Birkett

Donation by Jodi Birkett on 12/09/10

£223.00

+ £62.90 Gift Aid

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Noel, all the best. I'm sure you will get to the target!

Donation by Matthew Jones on 03/09/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Great work so far Noel! Keep going!!

Donation by Paddy O'Reilly on 31/08/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Donation by Robert Hill on 31/08/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Well done so far Noel, and best of luck in your future challenges! Emily Harris

Donation by Emily Harris on 30/08/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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A donation from Debbie, James and family, inspired by a meeting at the Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 marathon.

Donation by Debbie Burnside on 09/08/10

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Dear Noel what you are doing is amazing. An incredible way to support BLISS and and remember Ethan. I will put your link on the MRSA Action UK website

Donation by Maria Cann on 31/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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You are a real inspiration, running for a fantastic cause that's of great emotional significance to me. Good luck!

Donation by Jennifer Christopher on 30/07/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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An inspiration and an amazingly tough challenge. Good luck Noel.

Donation by Andrew Wright on 29/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Noel, an incredible effort

Donation by Stephen James on 23/07/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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You are doing an amazing thing! Wishing you huge success with this, Jules, Alistair & Tilly

Donation by Julia Bolsom on 21/07/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$7,598.14
  • Offline donations$985.43
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$8,583.57
  • Gift Aid$1,936.79

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