Update 27th October

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I have just sent off all the chequest and cash donations raised offline and am very grateful to you all for the grand total which exceeds the target by more than 50%!

I believe this fundraising page will still accept donations so if you have only just got here, the Arthur Rank Centre will be very happy to receive donations. With lamb prices so low, frost at night and feed prices so high many farms are in difficulty. I have seen applications to the Appeal coming in: the need is greater than the funds available and grants have to be restricted to small amounts.

2nd October:

Well, I did it in 2:05:13. After running the first half in 59:31 I knew I wouldn't get under 2 hrs - I have never managed negative splits in a race. At the start of the last mile I pushed hard to try and get under 2:05 but it wasn't to be. I shall need to do some more speed and strength work! But after the year that was, the result is something to build on.

Thank you so much for your enormous support. We have exceeded my fundraising target and I am very pleased and very grateful to you all.

Your sponsorship will support the ARC-Addington Hardship Fund which sadly now has to deal not only with the fallout of the flooding earlier in the year but also with the effects of the renewed outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in September and the threat of Bluetongue on the horizon which may complicate matters further even for us in the Northumberland.

Especially for our hill farmers in Northumberland the Foot and Mouth outbreak with its subsequent movement restrictions is the worst time of year for it to happen: selling the lambs is the main income of the year, so no market for sales, little grass to feed the animals and nowhere to house them.

Dagmar Winter

Priest-in-charge of Kirkwhelpington with Kirkharle, Kirkheaton and Cambo & Officer for Rural Affairs for the Diocese of Newcastle