Update:
HOORAY! I did it! Thank you for so much support. I am delighted to say that I finished the race today in 2 hours 13 minutes and 33 seconds. I am tired but raising so much money makes it worth it. Many many thanks to all of you.
Polly xx
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Thanks for taking the time to visit my Just Giving page. Running the Great North this year is going to be a tough challenge. I have got the running bug but a gentle jog for an hour is far more my thing than a hard core half marathon. I have been training hard since January, with a group of friends (all of us fat-bottomed girls!) and have recently taken part in a 10 mile race - the furthest I have ever run. I still don't know if I'll be able to make those extra 3 miles...... especially if it is a hot day!
I am motivated to run the Great North as I would dearly love to raise some money for the Iain Goodwill Trust. Iain is Mark Goodwill's youngest son who was killed in a tragic accident at their family home in October 2007 when Iain was only 17 months old. For those of you who don't know Mark is my Godfather's son (and my Dad is his Godfather - Big Mark and Little Mark!) We spent a lot of time together as children and I was a Bridesmaid at his parents wedding back in 1976.
I have so much respect for Mark and the way he has conducted himself since Iain's death. In spite of his own grief, the demands of a busy job, looking after his other two children, Allan (8) and Douglas (5), Mark, along with his wife, Helen, has launched the Iain Goodwill Trust to campaign to prevent accidents involving young children and cars.
Mark featured recently on the Jeremy Vine Show on Radio 2 where he spoke movingly about the campaign. Click on the 'my video' link at the left of this page to listen. In the radio interview Mark describes the campaign far more eloquently than I ever could. Please also see http://www.iains-trust.org/ if you would like to find out more information on the Iain Goodwill Trust and their work and achievements so far.
It is so hard to know how to support a friend going through such immense grief so the very least I can do is get myself around the 13 miles and hopefully raise the profile of (and some money for!) the Iain Goodwill Trust. I will be so grateful for any support you can give me. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the Iain Goodwill Trust and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer. It is the most efficient way to donate.
Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Polly x
