Thanks for taking the time to visit our fundraising page.

We're running the Stockholm marathon for two reasons.  On the one hand, because Tim wants to kick his Kronenbourg / Marlboro lights-based lifestyle and because the prospect of impending fatherhood has scared Christian into action.  And on the other, because we want to raise money for two charities which focus on very different, but equally noble, causes:

The Future Hope Orphanage:  Future Hope is an amazing charity, providing a home to over 160 street children in Calcutta, India.  Founded by a kind and entreprising Englishman, Tim Grandage, the charity offers a safe and loving environment in which destitute children can enjoy the fundamentals we take for granted: education, medical help when needed and extra-curricular activities such as sport and music.  In addition to the orphanage, Future Hope has founded a very successful school in Calcutta for over 200 street children: boys and girls now go on from Future Hope to some of the best schools and universities in Calcutta and to play sport (particularly rugby) at the top level.  Future Hope is a wonderful charity which focuses its energy, expertise and donations on a specific and important need in the Indian slums and succeeds in providing children facing a life of solitude and poverty with the opportunities to become educated, rounded individuals.  Find out more at: http://www.futurehope.net/

Canine Partners:  Canine Partners is a comparatively small UK-based charity which provides highly trained dogs to help people with disabilities.  The charity trains dog to a simply unbelievable standard so that they can help their partners get on with their daily lives: carrying the supermarket shopping, loading the washing machine, calling for help if needed - these are all examples of the kind of things these dogs are capable of doing.  But probably most important of all is the companionship and support they provide to people who have often suddenly had to face the challenge of serious, long-term disability.  As anyone who's had the pleasure of sharing their life with a dog will testify, canine enthusiasm and loyalty knows no bounds - and it's those characteristics which are often crucial in helping people re-build and continue with their lives. Their website gives further details: http://www.caninepartners.org.uk/

Our plan is for the total donations we receive to be split 50-50 between these two charities - so please don't feel you need to choose between the two...  We know each of the charities will be incredibly grateful for anything you can spare and that the money you donate will help make a real difference to the causes they support.

Thanks for your help,

Christian and Tim