Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
I gave up smoking last November and found the best way to handle it was to sit down and do nothing. I managed that quite successfully, put on a couple of stones and struggled for breath going upstairs. I wanted to do something about my weight and fitness but knew I wouldn't join a gym or get out and exercise.
I like to support the Pebbles Project but don't nearly do enough for them and an opportunity arose to take part in the Great North Run and raise funds. This seemed the ideal answer, the entry would make me get fit and there is no way I was going to let the charity down by quitting. After all I have given up smoking, I could do anything I put my mind to, how hard could it be?
Well three months later I assure you that it is without doubt the hardest thing I have ever done. There are no training programs for 55 year olds who have smoked for 40 years, had little or no exercise and have an illness that often leads to sleepless nights and an inability to eat correctly for days at a time.
I couldn't run 30 yards when I started. My legs are up for it but I was constantly fighting for breath. At the time of writing I am doing intervals of running for 2 minutes and walking for 3 minutes and it is still so very tough! I have covered in excess of 100 miles in training and will cover at least 60 more before the big event on Sunday 20th September.
There will be more than 50,000 people on the Great North run and the larger charities will have thousands of runners each raising funds for them. The Pebbles Project will have just two, Charles Morgan and myself.
The Pebbles Project was established in 2004 to offer support to children with special educational needs, particularly those whose lives are affected by alcohol in some way, in the Western Cape of South Africa.

To find out more about Pebbles please visit http://www.pebblesproject.co.za/home.html
I am aiming to raise £1000 from friends, relatives, colleagues and Wine Pages vistors and a further £1000 from UK wine merchants. Why Wine Merchants? I have a small internet wine business and have met and/or bought wines from many of the UK merchants. Times are tough but you couldn't wish to meet or deal with such a wonderful bunch of people - how refreshing in this day and age.
All donations, no matter how large or small, are most gratefully accepted. 200 donations of £5 each is £1000 - please help me make a real impact on these childrens lives.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Pebbles Project gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

sincere thanks for visiting this page
John Dickinson