Note: Check out any updates as you go down the page

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Action Cancer will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK 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.

Colin

04/05/08 - Just a little update - it's less than 24 hours to go, and I'm starting to feel the pressure (especially of all those who have been kind enough to give me money). However, on that front, I thought I should really give the whole picture, since this web page was really a late addition to my fundraising attempt.

I'm also taking direct donations which will go towards the MacDermott Cancer Unit in the Ulster Hospital, and so far I've received in cash and pledges just over £800, so I'm delighted with that total, and not a little surprised - I just didn't expect to receive anything like that - so a big thank you to all those who've given already.

The current total on this page means that overall (i.e. both charities) my fundraising could hit the £1000 mark, which would be amazing.

And now I think it's time for me to go and have a lie down, in preparation for my part of the equation (oh, well, I knew there'd be a catch somewhere). I'll try and update the page with what happens, after the event tomorrow.

5/05/08 Well, what do you know? I actually finished the big event, albeit hardly in world record time (5 hours plus if you're interested). But since my main objective was to finish, and at least attempt to run it (rather than walk it) I feel that I achieved it. Mind you, it was really hard work, and I slowed right down for periods towards the end (i.e. the last two legs or ten miles). In fact, I was so slow, there were walkers passing me! But who's counting - I now have my commemorative medal just like everyone else.

In terms of impact, I'm sore from the waist down, but I hope to recover soon, and at least I didn't seem to acquire any more significant injuries. I was a bit worried that my knees would have let me down, but they stood up to the test. They're sore now, mind.

Last but not least, thanks once again to all for their generous donations - between the two charities we've surpassed the £1000 mark altogether, so clap yourselves on the back. Well done!

8/5/08 - you can now see what I looked like at the end - not a pretty sight!

31/05/08 - Well, it's now almost 4 weeks after the big event, and I'd like to say I've recovered completely, but my knees aren't what they used to be. No regrets, however, and I do hope to start a bit of running soon - I've only gone out for one short run since finishing the "big one"

A final postscript in terms of fundraising - between the two charities I attempted to support, the amount of £1465 was raised directly, and a further £64 plus should be claimable in Gift Aid (from a relatively small number of people, it has to be said). I received £1234 directly for the MacDermott Unit, and the £231 on this page for Action Cancer makes up the balance. I suppose that overall that means more than £1500 was raised, which I am both ecstatic about and humbled by at the same time. Thank you to all who contributed - I am touched by the generosity of so many. And with that, I expect that this will be my last message on this site, as I wrap up this particular exercise. Who knows what another year will bring?

Thanks again - Colin

23/06/08 - Another month has almost passed, making it 7 weeks to the day since I finished the marathon - I can hardly believe it, and I must say that I've not done any running since my last post, partly because I've been busy, and also because I feel a nasty little twinge in my right knee from time to time (although I think it was there before I did the run). Anyway, there have been a couple more donations since I reported my last totals, and I hope that this will be my absolutely final total (although I won't refuse any more money if someone wants to give me some). The total on this site hasn't changed, so that's £231 + Gift Aid, plus an amount of £1330 given directly to me for the MacDermott Cancer Unit, and some more associated Gift Aid, although if I'd been a bit better prepared, I'm sure that lots more people would have signed a Gift Aid form, and a substantial amount extra would have been generated at no extra cost. So that's an actual total of £1561 between both charities, and some more still to be reclaimed from HM Revenue & Customs.

Once again I am deeply indebted to all for your generosity - my run may not have been very fast, or pretty to look at, but the money I raised for charity was very much the icing on the cake of an achievement that not that long ago I could only have dreamt of attempting. Thank you everyone - rest assured that your money will be put to good use.

Signing off - Colin

Ok - I lied, I got one more donation, so the final total (and I've just written the cheque) is £1335 to the MacDermott Unit (with about £72.49 in Gift Aid, I hope, making £1407.49), and still £231 to Action Cancer, with £36.67 in Gift Aid, making £267.67. That makes the absolutely final total to be £1566, with £109.16 in Gift Aid, or £1675.16 overall, split between the 2 charities.

All I have to do now is tell everyone, and thank anyone who supported me, whether by giving me money, encouraging me leading up to the event, or being there on the day. For me, it was an achievement, and I'm not sure I'll ever do another one, as the knee still isn't back to what it was, but you never know. Thanks again.

Regards

Colin