We are 5 work colleagues (Hugh, Andrew, Henry, Tom and Mandeep) who have decided that 2008 is the year to do something that can make a real difference to other people and at the same time achieve a major life time goal.

We are taking part as a team in the Flora London Marathon 2008, one of the largest Marathons in the world with 46,000 expected to take part this year.

To further motivate us to meet this challenge, we are raising funds for WellChild the Children’s Charity (http://www.wellchild.org.uk). Child health problems affect many families across the UK from all backgrounds; rich or poor. WellChild supports these children and their families, while leading research into childhood illness and disease.

The team are now all training hard and are very much focused on being ready for the big day, April 13 2008, when we aim to make sure that your kind donations made in support of our efforts prove to be well placed.

Doing a marathon in April means lots of 6am training runs in the preceding months, those mornings when you can hear the rain battering off the window, when it's dark and cold.  No more lazy Sunday afternoons with a glass of wine.......but we are confident the effort will pay off and it will be well worth it on the day.

So, please, please sponsor us.  We truly appreciate every penny and every piece of support no matter how big or small.  And for those of you in and around London, we thoroughly recommend coming along to watch on 13th April. It is an inspiring and enjoyable day out. 

Thank you.

Hugh , Andrew, Tom, Henry and Mandeep

Team Quotes

Hugh (aka the Silver Fox): "This is my second FLM after finishing last year in a time of 5hrs 24 minutes raising over £2,000 in the process. What an amazing experience and, as a father of 6,  running for WellChild this year was a no brainer for me."

Andrew (aka Mr B): "This is the second time I've been involved with a Bluefin Fundraising Team in the London Marathon and my fourth FLM.  Knowing that what you achieve on the day can be converted in to much needed funds for the charities involved gives you that extra drive to finish.  Being a father now myself has made me appreciate what I have, and running for a charity such as WellChild is a great privilege."

Henry (aka Blondie): "This is my second attempt at running the FLM. Last year, an 'unfortunate' bowling accident prevented me from participating. Seeing my colleagues going the full distance reinforced my desire to give it my best shot this year. Certain comments with regards to the convenience of the injury did their part too. Having particpated in Hugh's fundraising last year with WellChild, it was clear to do it with WellChild again this year. In contrast to the other Bluefin runners, I will be aiming to walk the distance to preserve the little life my knees have left in them. My goal is to finish it, if possible in 6hrs something."

Tom: "This is my first London Marathon and I am really looking forward to it. It is great to have a motivation to train as worthy as WellChild and I am hugely grateful to them for giving me the honour of running in their colours - even though they happen to be pink. Please dig deep for this fantastic charity."

N.B. Amount Raised Off-Line includes:-

-  £1600 raised by tom via the following fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/tomwehrle 

- £120 more raised off-line by Mandeep

- £300 deposit already paid to WellChild directly or by Bluefin (for Hugh, Henry and Mandeep)