Hello….. One year older, but clearly no wiser… yes it’s me again, she of the Chariots of Fire feet!!!!! with one week to go!!!!

First of all I want to say a huge thank you for your support over the last three years in my running endeavours. Thanks to you, I have raised the most fantastic £4,500 which has all gone towards the work of the Charles Hallé Foundation, the arm of the orchestra that funds the Hallé's youth, education and outreach work. Without you, me and my little legs would not have made those 30kms, plus all the other pesky little kilometres I had to run in ‘training’!!!!

Now we, the Hallé, have reached a major milestone in our history. This year, 2008, we celebrate our 150th Anniversary and you know what….I am doing it all again….Well if the Hallé, one of our great institutions – a national treasure no less - can still be running after 150 years I can surely manage 10,000 metres!!!!

I realise it is asking a lot as I know you are pestered all the time for this and that. However, if you were to experience some of the projects close up, be they with children, young offenders or in the wider community, I can assure you that you would see just what an amazing and inspiring experience it is for both the children and musicians involved.

By way of example….the money you have donated has allowed us to expand the Adopt-a Player programme into eight schools, with two players per school visiting each school three times before bringing the children into The Bridgewater Hall to experience the orchestra at a concert. Now you know why I need to do it again

So, next Sunday 18th May…….AGH…I will pull on number 150 and I will attempt to run that 10,000 metres or 10 kilometres or 6.2 miles (no matter how you put it is still the same distance as last year) in the 2008 BUPA Great Manchester Run.

This year the race starts in the centre of Manchester and will be passing our home, The Bridgewater Hall, where a brass group from the Hallé Youth Orchestra will be playing as we all go by – just what we need a bit of youthful encouragement.…. Highlights (for the viewers anyway) will be on BBC Two (3.45pm) on  Sunday 18th May..... It will be the sporting event of the year!!!!!

As I mentioned earlier, you have helped me raise a wonderful £4,500 and, for our 150th Anniversary and my final jog round the city – yes I really do mean final - I set myself a goal of £1,500 which you gorgeous folks have helped me burst through so I am putting my target up to £2,500.... Steve Pickett, our Education Director, is beside himslef with excitlemnt and has already started planning his next project...…so absolutely no pressure then!!! Seriously though, I would be thrilled if you were to sponsor me – and so would my little legs.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Charles Hallé Foundation will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, thanks to gift aid, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. 

So there we are....I did my big training run this morning (Sunday 11 May) and hope I recover by next Sunday......

Many thanks - in advance - for your support.
Love, hugs and tired legs.......
Fiona xxx