Here we go again.......

Time to beat: In 2007 I took 5 hours 52 minutes and 52 seconds ...... I can't promise a lot here although I'll try my best, age not being on my side and all that.

However, even more important, sponsorship money to beat: £4964 - yes, this is the absolutely amazing total was sent to CLIC Sargent after I ran in 2007, so it was well worth every single ache and pain and lost toenail (of which there were a few).
The target at the top of this page is the bare minimum I want to raise - this is the minimum amount I need to raise to qualify for the Golden Bond place from CLIC Sargent. MY REAL TARGET HAS TO BE £5000+ !!

Again, you may say, why am I doing it?

The reason is simple - to help other children like Guy, and to help other families going through the nightmare that is childhood cancer. As I was running the other day my mind went back to the day that we arrived at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, back in April 1995. We were reeling, having been told that day that Guy had a brain tumour. We were literally packed off from Cheltenham Hospital, complete with his X rays, sent down the M5 and told where to report on arrival. Guy had brain surgery a few days later. However, bad as this was, it wasn't only happening to us. On that same afternoon, another family arrived at Frenchay having followed their son in an ambulance all the way from Cornwall. Robert also had a brain tumour. Robert's mum and I spent that night together in a CLIC funded family room off the ward - it was the ONLY parent room - the two dads were on the ward with the boys.

Following his surgery, Guy was transferred to the old Bristol Children's Hospital, where he had chemotherapy and later on radiotherapy. When Guy's treatment was such that he needed to be close to the Children's Hospital and yet wasn't allowed home, we were able to stay at  CLIC House in Bristol - a wonderfully comfortable home from  home, and where Mark and Toby could stay too whenever we all needed to be together. When Guy was at home, his medication and welfare was overseen by the wonderful Val, our CLIC nurse who was funded by the charity. In between treatments we spent a happy week trying to be like a normal family at the CLIC holiday flat in Sidmouth.

Everyday in the UK, 10 families are given the devastating news that their child has cancer. CLIC Sargent is the only charity giving them care and support every step of the way. We are still in touch with Robert's family, but sadly Robert died just a few months before Guy.

Please help me to help CLIC Sargent continue with their vital work to help children and young people with cancer - ANY cancer - and their families, and make my aching legs worthwhile!

My training is going very well -  8 miles last Saturday (mid January) and about 20 miles in total for that week.
15.2.09 - 12 miles this morning - hooray!!
Sat. 21st Feb. just done 13 miles in lovely sunshine -spring is on the way!!
Sat. 14th March - 17 miles today, and still in one piece! the new running shoes are getting well worn in - toenails intact this time would be wonderful!
Last Sunday, 29th March - 20 miles and no crowds to spur me on......I'm getting there!
17th April - only just over a week to go now and I'm injury free, hooray! and starting to get VERY excited!! Well into the tapering down now. I've done 15 miles a couple of times and bits in between. Will do 8 - 10 this weekend and then a little next Tuesday and Thursday and then that's it, waiting for the big one. Saw my first swallow today, and that's got to be a good sign!

27/4/09 ....the day after the marathon, and I am so thrilled to report that I completed the race in 4 hours and 45 minutes and 33 seconds! My postition was the 5322nd female to cross the line but the 286th female in my age group (50 - 54). It was all a fantastically exciting yet very emotional experience on a lovely sunny day in London, and I feel great today with just a few aches but no major problems at all. I haven't stopped grinning yet and I'm still wearing my medal!

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: CLIC Sargent 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.

So please sponsor me now!

IN MEMORY OF GUY AND ROBERT, AND FOR ALL CHILDREN OUT THERE WITH CANCER X