<p>&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Northamptonshire Community Foundation&rsquo;s sporty Grants Director, Rachel McGrath, will once again don her running shoes to test her fitness and fearlessness against the majestic vistas and deadly dragons of the <strong>Wales Half Marathon 2012 </strong>- aiming to raise a target of &pound;500 for local groups in need.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;The huge 13.1 mile run will take place on June the 10. Last year&rsquo;s runner up, Andrew Essom, said: <a>&ldquo;This marathon was designed for giants&rdquo; </a><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><a class="msocomanchor" href="#_msocom_1">[CM1]</a><span style="display: none;"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></span>adding further to the medieval terror that surrounds this annual event.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;To sponsor Rachel to complete this challenge please consider sponsoring her and remember that even a small donation can make a big difference to a vulnerable person&rsquo;s life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks to your generous sponsorship of Rachel&rsquo;s past unique runs &pound;2,455 has been raised to help some of the most in need groups in the county. Your generosity has allowed us to fund the following groups:</p> <ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"> <li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Late Developers Photographic</strong>, based in Corby, received a grant to allow them to professionally showcase their art. Late Developers&rsquo; members are referred to them and many suffer from physical disability or mental health issues. Together they capture the unseen beauty in their town building confidence and self esteem in the fresh air.</li> <li class="MsoNormal"><strong>Thomas&rsquo; Fund</strong>,<strong> </strong>who work within Northampton General Hospital, were awarded funding that meant they could purchase specialist instruments and associated equipment to give seriously ill infants and children the experience of live music. Music is known to have a range of therapeutic benefits including lowering blood pressure and aiding relaxation during a stressful period in the children&rsquo;s lives.</li> </ul> <ul style="margin-top: 0cm;"> <li class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma; color: green;"> </span></strong> <strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">The Friend &ndash; Leys</span></strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">, based in Moulton were given a grant that allowed them to continue offering activities such as lunches, outings and speakers to those aged 55 plus. A lot of the group&rsquo;s members are very elderly meaning it is difficult for them to get out and about- <strong>attending the club is the only time several members leave the</strong> <strong>house each week</strong>. Members report the club helps them stay social,</span><span style="font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;;"> </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">helping them cope with illnesses such as depression.</span><br><br></li> </ul> <div> <hr class="msocomoff"> <div> <div class="msocomtxt"><span><a></a></span> <p class="MsoCommentText"><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><span>&nbsp;<a class="msocomoff" href="#_msoanchor_1">[CM1]</a></span></span></span>Genuine quote from website</p> </div> </div> </div>