*** photo kindly provided free by
www.actionphoto.net
who retain copyright ***

~~~~~~~~~~UPDATE as at 11 JUNE 04~~~~~~~~~~~
Firstly - the founder of OAS!S Trust - Rev Steve Chalke MBE - who usually runs the marathon himself , and may be known to some from his braodcasting - will be visiting SEVENOAKS to speak on Sun 10th October in the evening.

Please email me on marsh@xalt.co.uk if you would like details of time/venue..

SECONDLY - THANK YOU ONE AND ALL ...
I still have a little a bit of sponsor money to collect .. but so far we have raised - with YOUR help a grand RUNNING total (on line, off line , plus tax to be recovered ) of >>>>>>>>> £4,948 <<<<<<<<<< from some 170 sponsors... who have all dug deep ... wow - thats ________ over £190 per mile ( 11p per yard) or ________a cool £1,100 per hour!! or some £18 per minute! >>>>>>>>>>>so far! so thank you so much ... but PLEASE dont stop now!! Lets try to get to £5K or beyond.. it really will make a difference.. to some VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE.. THANKS again... Rob marsh@xalt.co.uk ------------Mon eve ------- STOP PRESS I did it! ** official time of 4 hr 29 min 13 sec** ITS ALL OVER- & I was nearly all over the road @22 miles when cramp which had been really nagging both calves @15 miles on threw me on the deck in some agony not to mention the embarrasment that I had just asked my valient supporters to rub my legs - they wondered what they had done... anyway the final 4 or so miles were a very steady trot - any faster or slower and I would have been on the deck again.. ! I crossed the start after 10am (1st runners crossed @0945) so I was right at the back, as planned - great fun 4 the 1st 10 miles overtaking whenever there was a gap or spare pavement and seeing so many brave folk in some very heavy costumes - rhino, mister men, double hump camel, cake, bottles etc... I had lots of calls throughout on my mobile which was a real boost - thanks 2 all who called me - sorry the crowd were sometimes so noisy that I could not actually hear all of you every time! And yes I was running with a hands free so it was no problem to talk - or at least pant - into the microphone! Anne, Kirsty + Pippa + a crowd from Youth Club struggled thru pressing crowds twice around a very busy tower bridge 2 wave me on - and offer bananas chocolate, water etc ... @12 & again @22 miles - They all feel like they ran a marathon - hard work and they also got VERY WET and cold ... I trotted across the finish line some 4 1/2 hrs later ready for a leg massage and dry clothing.. My official result was initially 4h45m and I thought time must have stood still as we reckoned I did about 4 1/2 hrs! but does it matter ... by the time all the dosh comes in I hope we have raised over £600 / hour [even @my pace!] and once all the tax is reclaimed I hope 2 have got pretty close 2 my initial target of £120 per mile. The Marathon results website was then updated some 24 hours later - as we were watching it! - to show: ____________________ Results for : ROB J. MARSH Marathon M40 Runner No.: 42338 Nationality: GBR Position (Overall): 18266 Position (Gender): 14919 KM10: 0:55:20 KM20: 1:53:52 HALF: 2:00:37 KM30: 2:55:30 KM40: 4:13:41 FINISH: 4:29:13 ......so I did scrape in just inside 4 1/2 hours! those orange balloons we used ...well they got so wet they scraped along the road much of the time bit of a drag!! ---------------- For more info - keep checking http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/results/results.shtml just enter my runner no 42338 leave rest blank check out photos and reports at http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/pressrelease/2004_18.shtml http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/pressrelease/2004_17.shtml I may post any more updates here .. .. in the meantime MANY THANKS 2 all 4 tremendous support!! Rob PS Do forward details of this site to family or friends - as its NOT too late to make a donation.... - on-line or off-line. This page stays open a few weeks for donations or updates. PPS U may b amused 2 hear that @4am on marathon day , Anne awoke 2 hear rushing water - we found 2 bedroom carpets gettn wetter, a down stairs cupboard had become a power shower (always wanted one of those!) and the water tank in the loft was overflowing - but with a completely defective over-flow pipe - one going uphill!! The ballcock had snapped off .... so a cold wet start (on my knees in the loft) to a very cold wet day (with aching knees)! ---------------------------------Sun am well then HERE we go - its the day of the races!!!!!! race?? wot race?? well - the only target is to finish - no real rush is there? may as well enjoy the sights... If u r watchn on TV look out 4 me - hot, tired or cold + wet? - grey T shirt - number 42338 - PLUS I hope 2 fly 2 round orange foil - helium filled - balloons! they say ROB 4 OAS!S - may get some extra lift?? My support team will also have 2 balloons.. so I can spot em! Do call me on my mobile... - my hands-free should answer if theres reception - I can tell u where I (think I) am... and maybe u can tell me if u saw the support team nipping in2 the pub?? [No I wont check faxes, txts, pages or voicemails until after its all over.............. ] ------------- Main page ---------- Hi, thanks for checking out my web page.. A HUGE THANX 2 ALL WHO HAVE DONATED or PLEDGED OR PROMISED on-line, on paper or by email... Do email any comments or questions to marsh@xalt.co.uk - or just 2 say u surfed by.. -- -- -- -- -- -- - To donate NOW hit the sponsor us now -> red button above.. - this will record your credit card - on-line on a secure site and then bill you Any problems email or +++++++++++++++++++ Please sponsor me - raising funds 4 OAS!S Trust - My target is £120/mile in the London Marathon ================== OK - I'm no fleet footed runner; it's my 1st marathon - 1st long run really - so I need every £ just 2 keep me going thru training & that 'wall'! This on-line donation/pledge service is 1 of the most effective ways 2 raise funds 4 OASIS. If U R a UK taxpayer your donation is increased by 28% @no cost 2 U (+higher rate taxpayers get xtra tax back if u keep a record). If U prefer, just snail-mail a cheque/ charityvoucher wiv name + address if U can gift aid. Cheques will B sent2 OAS!S soon . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So Y am I running 4 OAS!S? Email me if U would like any more info/my latest update. OASIS runs innovative professional LONG TERM projects 2 serve + help those who R vulnerable excluded - with 'nothing 2 live 4' ?Do u know how many UK teens consider taking their own life? Or about UK having the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe (90,000 pa of whom, 2000 r under 14) These serious issues need long term action - education and community development *** Check the short vid at http://www.oasistrust.org/ ** *** Here R some snapshots - how OASIS impressed me over the years? ..innovators pioneers, rather than followers ... committed 2 finding new ways of tackling old problems. The 'church' already has more than enough talkers - Oasis see themselves as 'doers' of the word. ...a 'faith that gets its hands dirty.' Oasis has 4 'action' areas. >>>> 1. COMMUNITY ACTION 4 the vulnerable and socially excluded - thru practical community projects. Eg Oasis Health Centre - meeting real needs of homeless people in London , Oasis Outreach, Oasis Collectors, Oasis Housing @ No.3 and the Foyer @ Croydon. ____Some great work here - just look at www.oasistrust.org to find out about OASIS Health Centre (OHC - which I recently visited) over 100 000 health care appointments for London's rough sleepers; and the life skills work provided by Foyer@Croydon... Y not scan the short impact report (with some photos - pdf) on OHC which is at http://www.oasistrust.org/temp/Oasis_ImpactRepspFINAL.pdf >>>> 2. YOUTH ACTION 4 young people. Youth action projects such as Youth work training, Oasis Frontline Teams, Oasis Esteem - tackling AIDS/HIV in UK, Faithworks Community Weeks and Oasis Youth Inclusion ____Many young people who have been abused, excluded, written off by society, suffered drug/alcohol addiction can honestly say OASIS gave them a home, hope, a FUTURE + BELIEVED in them. 80% of homeless people were forced to leave. Sadly we know of young teens forced out of family homes locally... ____The OASIS ESTEEM programme delivers sexual health education 2 Young People - so they can value themselves +make informed decisions about realtionships & sex... - an absolute must given trends in this country - compared 2 Europe & looking @increased risks being taken by so many adults.. Look on http://www.oasistrust.org and search for ESTEEM.. >>>> 3. CHURCH ACTION seeks 2 put Christian faith back at the heart of our society and it helps the Church engage the wider community - eg thru Church.co.uk and Faithworks. ____I happily signed the Faithworks charter that puts church-run youth work + other services on a professional, inclusive footing, adopting best practice + being able 2 partner effectively with other agencies. >>>> 4. GLOBAL ACTION exists 2 help some of the world's poorest people live life more as God intended. Initiatives include Net2work, Connect! and Global Action Teams in 16 countries of the world. 1% of those living in India suffer HIV/AIDS In many parts of Africa a family goes 2 an AIDS funeral EVERY month... OASIS is working hard to stop this .. Y not have a look at the website http://www.oasistrust.org/ProjectSubSection.asp?id=498 - This briefly tells of Bambejja - an Oasis project in Uganda which works with young girls at risk. As you will see - your donations are going to help some truly marvellous work! * I know OASIS R doing a fantastic job... and I hope U feel able 2 support them. I know some will not share the same motivation or faith, but I believe this work is inclusive and if judged on results... anyone would want 2 support OASIS. Every £ will make a difference but please try 2 give generously! So Y not sponsor me 4: ...£1 - every £ counts... (off-line donations vary from £1 to £500) ......£26 - £1/mile ........£44 - £1/year - a few weeks off my 44th real incentive 4 next year (NOT)! ...........£100-2 wear your logo/advert subject2negotiation taste size+weight! .................£130 - £5/mile ********* ******** ********* MANY thanx4 your support+comments on&off-line -its really appreciated!! Please forward this page 2 all your friends! Regards Rob :) Email marsh@xalt.co.uk Web http://www.justgiving.com/Rob-Marsh -to donate Surf2 http://www.oasistrust.org 4video+info or if U prefer U can donate direct 2 specific projects on their DONATE button. http://www.london-marathon.co.uk 4 info, route, other runners + the full RUN down 4 Flora London Marathon 2004 .. Y not sponsor other Team OASIS Runners @.. http://www.justgiving.com/oasischallenge http://www.justgiving.com/moughtin =========== == == == ========== Many Thanks 2 ALL my sponsors - including: -- M Clark Pools Biggin Hill http://www.clarkpools.co.uk -- Harris Consulting Limited http://www.harris-consulting.co.uk -- http://www.otford.net & http://www.otford.info -- SPACE TRAVEL http://www.spacetravel.co.uk/ """"""""""""" """""""""""""" """""""""""""" NB If u donate/pledge 'anon' your comments are not visible to others on the web... anon comments have included: - Go for it Rob.. - [Dont Sprint Too Long!!] - Rather you than me Rob - Good luck Rob - run till you drop! - Good Luck - With all good wishes & no aches or pains........... ________________________ ______________________