Story
<p>Inspired by close friends who possess the renowned London Marathon finisher's medal and after spectating & supporting in years gone by, I decided it was my turn to run 26.2 miles, just like more than 800,000 runners who have previously conquered the route. <br><br>Embarking on this daunting challenge, James & I started our training back in October, initially with all the gear and no idea but we ploughed on and are so far on schedule. We do our best to bypass the pub on the training runs, it's tough though! <br> <br>But not as tough as daily life is for some young children. <br><br>My chosen charity is Albany Taxi Charity Fund, a charity set up in 1972 by some licensed taxi drivers that arranged to take a group of children with special needs to the seaside. After a year in the planning, 36 brightly decorated taxis left in convoy to take 72 children on a special outing, the aim being to bring some fun and joy into their lives, and that outing certainly did. <br>Since those original few drivers, more and more have joined their happy band and the Albany Taxi Charity Fund now takes more than 500 special needs children in over 200 licensed taxis to three major seaside towns as well as Thorpe Park, Chessington and visits to pantomimes. It was after a trip to check on the local schools and homes of the children that had been on the outings, that Albany Taxi Charity Fund found many things, not just outings were needed. Items we all take for granted such as televisions, stereos, bikes & more specialist equipment such as made to measure wheelchairs, trikes and sound equipment were required.</p>
<p>For the Albany Taxi Charity Fund, the sponsorship raised from the London Marathon is vital for them to continue this cherished work, which is all done by volunteers. Every penny raised goes towards funding the trips and equipment that the children need.<br><br>Please dig deep to sponsor what you can & bring some more fun and joy into the lives of the children helped by Albany Taxi Charity Fund.<br>To find out more about my charity, please see their website www.albany-charity.org.uk <a href="http://www.albany-charity.org.uk"><span style="color: #0066cc;">http://www.albany-charity.org.uk</span></a></p>
<p><br>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p>
<p>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 charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>