Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

I am running the New Forest Half Marathon in September [see update below]. The last time I ran was the egg and spoon race at primary school. I’ve lost a fair few kilos and given up the fags to give myself a fighting chance of actually reaching the finishing line with both lungs and limbs in place.

I’m doing all this to raise money for the Brain Tumour Research Campaign in memory of my friend, Tara Dyson.Tara died in March 2006. She was fab and I miss her.Tara thought running was ‘a bit daft’, but I know she was frustrated about how little was known about the disease and its treatment.

The BTRC is working with scientists and doctors to try to set up a national registry of brain tumours, which would help guide research. They are a small charity doing some really important work to understand more about this disease see http://www.wayahead-btrc.org/).

Please dig deep and sponsor me.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: BTRC 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.

Thanks so much for your support.

Charlotte

** Update August 2007 **

Just recently, my training has suffered some injury setbacks. It started when a long-term problem with my right foot (plantar faciitis, if anyone’s interested, or has any tips to make it go away!) finally caught up with me. Despite investing in some very good running shoes and doing all the exercises prescribed by the doc, the weakness in my foot caused some pretty bad pain in my right hip and groin, which in turn messed up my lower back, shoulder and right arm.

I got referred to a very good physio and I was hopeful I could recover in time for the September run. Unfortunately, I hobbled out of the gym last week with a grade 1 tear in my left calf muscle, which has ruled me out of crucial pre-run training and the September race.

The physio thinks I should be on track for a race in November or December, so I’m just finding one that’s not too hilly for a beginner and not too cold (which rules out theFortWilliam half-marathon). I’m hoping that you’ll all be happy to honour your pledge with the new run – let me know if not.

Of course, all this means you get more training pain (and prolonged abstinence from a Friday night curry!) for your donation.

Thanks again for your support. I intend to do you all proud, even if my limbs drop off afterwards!

Charlotte