What a wonderful and amazing experience. My recorded time completing the Flora London Marathon was 5 hours 35 minutes and 32 seconds, but 20 minutes of that was walking at the start because of the other 36,000 runners all starting at the same time

We were blessed with a lovely warm sunny day, bringing the crowds out to cheer everyone on. It was fantastic, the people shouting out my name printed on my T-shirt, encouraging me every step of the way. I even ran 90% of the race, at my own pace

As I was running to the finishing line I held up a banner and the crowds were shouting and clapping and it was announced on the load speaker 'Dean is running for his sister Shireen'. 

Yes, Shireen will always be in our hearts.

Thank you all for remembering Shireen and all the people taken away from us in such a way, and for giving your money to Breakthrough Breast Cancer 

Dean

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How I got there...

Hello everyone. Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

I am going to run walk  and even crawl  the 26 miles 385 yards of the 2009 London Marathon in memory of my sister Shireen, raising money for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Shireen had a wonderful smile, sense of humour and was continually helping and supporting others through the trials and tribulations of their lives. Everyone who met Shireen was drawn to her and she is sadly missed around the world by family and friends alike.  I have to do this for Shireen and everyone who has helped her, to continue her efforts to help others in the same position.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Breakthrough Breast Cancer 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.

Please forward this page to your family, friends, work colleagues and business to support my fundraising appeal.

So please sponsor me now!

A BIG thank you to all offline donations, all the local 'Folkestone Businesses', the SWiSHing people supporting me and everyone who has sponsored Penny for her Boxing Day dip in the sea   

Alice, my mum - Amy, Donna, Terry and Armaiti, Pramila and Arvind, Jean and Khurshed, Jimmy, Persis and Jamshed, Fali and Perin, Sheroy and Yasmin, Behroze, Hazel and Cyril Peel, N Dyer, A Fairbrass, A Jenner, David Swaine, A Prentice, H Taylor, D Halgh, E Terry, Michel, Isabelle and Julien, Michael Domingo, Julie Connell, Reg Gray, Jacky Nash, Kat G-J, Anita Cooper, Ali Kemsley, L. Watt, P. Smith, Penny Malone,  Beale & Davis, Dianne (Cubby Hole, Tenterden), Joan, Doris, Peter, Kevin...

My little diary - October 2008 - got all my and gear, running shoes, shorts, T-shirts and started training    Some days the weather has been freezing so I wear my little woolly hat and gloves.  Been chased by the odd dog or two and nearly knocked over by a speeding pensioner on her electric scooter    but otherwise I am averaging 3 miles a day  on target!

November 2008 -    my little leg muscles are needing a rest, so I am exercising in the warm for a few days. Started back on the road now. Target is to run and walk 5 miles every other day

December is here and things are a little slow due to a pulled muscle, but its getting better and I will soon be running again, especially with all the chocolates I get at Christmas  

2009 and only 16 weeks until the Marathon  my target for this month is to be able to run and walk 10 miles on any given day by the first week of February. Thank you to everyone who have supported me so far, still got lots to do fundraising and training 

Its February and I have just come back from a 10 mile run, Folkestone to Hythe and back, where I was 'wolf-whistled' and cheered on by two biddys sitting on the seafront enjoying the sunshine    I have to be able to run half a marathon by the end of this month so the pressure is on. All the local papers have been informed of my fundraising attempt and I will be collecting in Folkestone and Ashford at the end of the month, with some help from my family

March 2009 and only 8 weeks to go.  I have completed a half marathon and my training is on track to help my body prepare for this amazing event. Over the last two weeks Penny, mum and I have collected over £520 locally and have been overwhelmed by the kindness of people we don't even know, humbled by many stories of people with cancer or who have lost loved ones to this terrible disease and very pleased with the wonderful support for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.  Now all I have to do is average 30 miles a week

Its 23rd March, only 5 weeks to go, I have completed another half marathon, increased my training and MY RUNNING NUMBER HAS JUST ARRIVED    34887

April is here, it is now a year since Shireens passing and I have come a long way in my mind. Now I have to complete the 26.2 miles with my body, but with all the support I have had I know I have it in me to complete this incredible journey. Thank you all