Hiya all, and a very "BIG THANK YOU" for visiting my fundraising page.

I have a very ambitious goal of £5000 to raise for TOYBOX, so please, read on................and if you like what you read......well, dig deep!

So....What am I going to do to seperate you from your hard earned cash and what is TOYBOX?

Well, 4months ago I packed in my 20 a day habbit (a very mean feat in itself!) and signed up, at the ripe old age of 41, to run a few 10k runs in 2009, and the London Marathon 2010.
                               
                                           GASP......SHOCK.........HORROR!!

"But!...,"I hear you cry!........"Your are overweight, have the lung capacity of a beached whale and haven't entertined physical activity since senior school." (most of which was spent at the back of the feild smoking during PE, he! he!) "What has possessed you to take on such a challenge sooooo deserving of my sponsorship?"

Well (again, sorry!) 6months ago, my memory of a most shocking BBC2 documentary I'd seen about South American street children called "They shoot children don't they?" was reawakened by a radio appeal I heard from the charity TOYBOX.  For anyone who remembers (it was 1992!), the programme reported on the many hundreds of street children living without homes, love or any kind of future. Many were working the streets and sniffing glue to get them through the day.  They were seen as vermin rather than children, it was horrible!. The programme shocked the nation and was the subject of discussion for many.

TOYBOX was established in response to the programme. Their mission was and is to raise awareness of the plight of these children and support local projects that seek to alleviate their suffering. Amazingly, after starting with just a football and borrowed premises, their work has grown so much that they now support outreach teams, community work with high risk children to help prevent child homelessness, and a refuge, as well as small, dedicated childrens homes for those street children they are  unable to unite with relatives.  TOYBOX are also a member of Stop the Traffic and work on the frontline to help prevent street children and those at high risk from being trafficked.

Every child needs and deserves regular meals, a bed, an education and someone to care for them.  Your much needed sponsorship will ensure the valuable work of TOYBOX continues to make a huge difference in these childrens lives.  THANK YOU.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Toybox Charity 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!