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Fundraiser of the month, February 2006
Training for a new life
Michelle Thomas is used to circuit training — she
has spent years doing a loop from bed to kettle to settee and back again.
But now she is taking on a whole new challenge.
In a desire to get fit and totally change her lifestyle, Michelle
is going to run the Flora London Marathon on April 23. What's more,
she's going to be part of a BBC documentary following 16 marathon runners
as they go from never having run to hopefully completing the famous
26.2 mile route.
"Initially I couldn't run 130 metres. Four weeks later I faced
my first BIG challenge, which was to run a mile non-stop, which I did
with finesse and style, before promptly throwing up!" says Michelle.
She wonders why anyone who hates physical exercise, loves to stay in
bed and obviously can't run would want to put themselves through such
agony.
The answer lies in her Dad, and NCH, the Children's Charity.
Michelle's Dad smoked heavily, ate unhealthily, worked long hours and
didn't do any physical exercise. He died a couple of weeks after
his 60th birthday.
"I knew that I was leading a similar lifestyle and I would also
be leaving my children prematurely if I didn't do something to prevent
this from happening. I needed a lifestyle change," she admits.
Michelle is fundraising for the NCH Number 28 counselling centre in Nottingham,
which supported her through some extremely difficult times. You can sponsor
her amazing effort here: www.justgiving.com/michellethomas.
"As a child I was sexually abused. I didn't confide in my parents
or friends. I didn't tell anyone what was happening to me. Instead
I kept the secret hidden away for years until it festered and had to
come out. Thanks to the help and support of NCH I am no longer ashamed
about what happened to me and it has taken years for me to realise that
the abuse I suffered wasn't my fault.
"My first wish would be to stop abuse altogether, if this is not possible,
then I will do everything in my power to ensure that there are services
such as Number 28 that will give children like me the help they need."
Marie Brown, at NCH, is thrilled Michelle has taken up the challenge
so well and says she expects her to get a lot of support from viewers
of the documentary who will also be able to sponsor her at www.justgiving.com/michellethomas.
You can watch Michelle's progress in 'Run for Glory'
on BBC 1 for eight weeks from March 2. There will also be a special
programme aired after the Marathon to catch up with all the runners.
If you feel
inspired by Michelle, you can set up your own fundraising page to raise
money with any sort of challenge you choose, for over 1,000 charities
featured on Justgiving. Just click here.
Writing a personal message and using a good photo — or several — helps
encourage friends and colleagues to get into the spirit and donate generously
too.
Previous fundraisers of the month:
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