Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
My name is Andrew Palmer and I am 39 yrs old. I live in Penarth with my partner Helen and our two children, Lloyd (14yrs old) and Cerys (9yrs old). I have lived in Penarth all my life, and currently live only half a mile from where I was brought up, so you can see I am well travelled! I was born with a left fibula hemimelia, that is I have no fibula and a shortening of the femur. Up until 8yrs old, I walked wearing a built up shoe, some made of cork and others with a metal frame underneath. Shortly before my 9th birthday it was decided that amputation would be the best option for me to lead a normal active life, as the built up shoe had its restrictions. So in November 1979 I had my foot amputated through the ankle.
Seven years ago I decided that, after putting on a bit of weight, maybe I should take up running. I joined Penarth and Dinas Running Club and 12mths later ran my first marathon in 3.53. Disappointed with this time I decided to run another one 6mths later in Abingdon, Oxfordshire and completed that in 3.29. Other highlights in my relatively short running career would be coming third in the US National Amputee Half Marathon Championships; my best time for a half marathon is sub 1 hr. 25 mins. I also held theand unofficial world 5km record with a time of 18.15.
After picking up a knee injury 2 weeks before the half marathon championships inSan DiegoI had a quiet couple of years just maintaining my fitness and managed to knock 6 minutes off my marathon time. Then in 2006 I had an operation to repair the damaged cartilage and remove a cyst. This seems to have been successful and so far in 2007 I have improved my times in the half marathon, 10 mile and 10k distances. My aim for 2008 is to get my marathon time down to 3:10:00 or less, which would be more of a reflection of my ability.
My personal best times to date are –
5k – 18:15
10k – 39:10
10 mile – 64:10
Half marathon – 1:24:29
20 mile – 2:24:17
Marathon – 3:23:22
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Limbless Association will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.
Message from Limbless Association:
Limbless Association is a national charity for people with limb loss of all ages and backgrounds. LA is the only charity for individuals with limb loss of all ages and backgrounds. We run many programs that are unique to our organisation such as a national helpline devoted to amputee issues; our Football + Project run in conjunction with Chelsea in the Community, and our Outreach Program which co-ordinates our prominent Volunteer Visitors Network. This Network consists of a group of our members who, using their knowledge and experience as amputees, support and encourage people awaiting amputation or amputees experiencing difficulties since their operation. Limbless Association also played a key role in assisting victims who sustained limb-loss during the 7/7London terrorist attacks.
LA is delighted to be participating in the Flora London Marathon on the 13th April 2008 for the first time. TheMarathonorganisers have given us a very limited silver token which entitles us to participate in the marathon every five years. Although this may not seem like much we are in a very privileged position as spaces in the marathon are very rare and LA are extremely lucky to have one.
Please consider making a donation towards Andrew’s run, any amount would be wonderful and very much appreciated. Training for and participating in a marathon is very hard work and we are very lucky to have a dedicated member like Andrew representing us!