I did it! Thanks to all who have supported me -by donating to Lepra, by advising me (Maggie and Terry on a personal level, Phil Maffetone and Hal Higdon for writing their books: their regimes really work and they are remarkably compatible -should they get together, I wonder) and making allowances for me through all the training (Suzanne). I would also like to give a huge thanks to Karen and all the team at Lepra: for giving me the Golden Bond place and for all their helpfulness. It was also a real boost to have my family there to cheer me on: even though I didn't see-or even more amazingly they tell me hear them-on the day, just knowing they were there gave me a real lift and helped me break the back of the last 6 miles -knowing they would be at mile 23.
The donations continue to pile in (no please don't stop just yet!) and the amount raised has far exceded my hopes and expectations.I did manage to beat my targety of 4 hours -by 7 seconds! My feet held up with only the slightest twinge -thanks to Jas Sawney for injecting the neuromas so expertly, so I never had to slow or stop at all. In fact I managed to hold a steady 9 minute mile pace thoughout and ran almost exactly even splits.
The important bit -the cause
Lepra's mission: For millions of people in the world’s poorest countries there is very little healthcare available. Poor living conditions and nutrition leave people more vulnerable to disease, the physical, social and economic results of which can be catastrophic. For these people, even the most basic of healthcare is an unaffordable luxury. Lepra is not just fighting leprosy, but TB, malaria, HIV and other diseases of poverty, for which so much more can be done with such little extra help.
If you were ill and could not walk, how would you get to a hospital 10 miles away? Lepra bicycle ambulances are saving lives in remote rural areas of Mozambique by transporting people quickly to their nearest health centre. Bicycle ambulances not only improve accessibility and quality of healthcare but also boost the local economy. Lepra is urgently trying to expand their use. £20 could buy a shade to shield the patient riding on the ambulance from the harsh African elements. £75 could buy a stretcher to transport patients on a bicycle ambulance. £214 would completely fund one more bicycle ambulance in Mozambique.
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.
So please dig deep and donate now.
Updated 27/04/2010
