From being a complete non runner in September 2009 this year will be my third London Marathon and probably my most difficult.

 

My wife after a number of years of ill health sadly passed away on 26th January 2012 and so this year I will be running to honour her memory.

 

For the previous two years and again this year I will be running to raise funds for P.A.R.C. Essex.

 

In 2004 our son Jude was born - a beautiful Iittle bundle of joy I love dearly and who makes everyday worth living. And who will be the rock that helps me get through the difficult times ahead without my wife and his mum.

 

In 2007 Jude was diagnosed with Austism.

 

P.A.R.C. stands for Play And Resource Centre. And they provide a safe and fun environment for disabled children and young adults to play, socialise and learn essential life skills. They help hundreds of disabled children, young adults and their families, in a whole range of different ways - far too many to list here.

 

I would never have been able to cope without the help and support that our family has received from P.A.R.C. Essex during my wife's years of ill health and they continue to support me greatly now that she has gone. They are just simply fantastic.

 

So this is why I am running. To help this small, but important charity, without which, my son's and very many children's (and their family's) lives would be that much harder. Please donate and help me help PARC help others.

 

Thank you.

 

Paul Spurgeon

The Big Running Fool

 

"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one"

Bruce Lee

 

P.S. I reached my initial target and I promised to run the London marathon in the Union Jack morphsuit if I did. Running in the that lovely outfit in the photo up there on the left is just one of many reasons why I am a Big Running Fool.

 

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