My story

For the 2010 Virgin London Marathon, the whole of the British horseracing industry has come together to create a team of 25 'athletes' (for want of a better word!) to run in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association, and specifically the Tristram Ricketts Appeal.

Sir Tristram Ricketts Bt died sadly in November 2007, and will always be remembered as one of racing's 'good guys' - universally liked, and described towards the end of his career as "racing's greatest civil servant". After his death, an appeal was launched in his name to raise £150,000 for the Spinal Injuries Association Academy, which provides a forum for expert discussion of research and medical innovation as well as offering training and education expertise, thus playing a vital role in the future betterment of the lives of paralysed people.

Unfortunately in our sport, accidents do happen, and many of us running have friends who have suffered spinal injuries whilst riding which have resulted in paralysis - so all of us are very proud to be raising money for a charity that makes a difference to the lives of people that we know and love.

So, please help the team (listed below) to not only meet, but exceed our target for the SIA and the Tristram Ricketts Appeal.

Richard Norris (Jockey Club Racecourses), Lizzie Lea (Tom Dascombe Racing), Ian Renton (Arena Leisure and BHA Board Member), Izzy Desailly (Professional Jockeys Association), Gerard de Waal (Racing UK), Annette Baker (British Horseracing Authority) , Lisa Delany (JETS – Jockeys Education and Training Scheme), James Oldring (British Horseracing Authority), Michael Wilson (Racing UK), Fiona Needham (Catterick Racecourse), James Armstrong (Newcastle Racecourse), Susan Carson (Catterick Racecourse), Jon Ryan (British Horseracing Authority), Harriet Collins (JSC Sport), Richard Hammill (Pontefract Racecourse), Emma McCall (Horse & Hound), Clare Higgins (British Racing School), Craig Benton (British Racing School), Dan Sait (Racing Post), Beth Greener (Racing Post), Clare Hazell (Professional Jockeys Association), Keith Jones (Cheltenham Racecourse), Philip Pritchard (Amateur Jockeys Association), Chris Stickels (Ascot Racecourse), Luke Harvey (At The Races), David Dennis (professional jump jockey), Kate Lewis

Unfortunately, Ian has had to withdraw due to injury...however he's still actively fundraising on behalf of us all, so please don't give him too much stick!

And as of Friday 9th April, James Oldring has been ruled out with tendon damage to the ankle (or more simply, 'a touch of a leg' if you're horsey-minded). He is totally gutted, but has promised everyone that has sponsored him that he'll run it next year!

19th April: I think everyone is beginning to appreciate just how hard it is to even make the startline of the marathon, never mind complete it - Luke Harvey and Lizzie Lea also fall victim to injury within a week of the race day!

Any size of donation is very much appreciated and welcomed - thank you in advance from all of us for your support, and please do feel free to come and cheer us on (or laugh at us) on April 25th 2010!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

 

My charity

Spinal Injuries Association

Spinal Injuries Association

Charity Registration No. 1054097

SIA is the national organisation of the UK's 40,000 spinal cord injured people. SIA provides a helpline, conducts research, campaigns and offers a peer advice network, a link Scheme and a website. SIA believes that life needn't stop when you're paralysed.

Donations 513

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No walking in the tunnels - Good luck!

Donation by Lucy Higginson on 01/03/10

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Good luck Maccy C, hope the blisters aren't too painful my lovely! x

Donation by Sian Lloyd Jones on 01/03/10

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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Go McCall

Donation by Claudia Johnson on 01/03/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Donation by Craig Keenan on 01/03/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Good luck to all. Hope not too many blisters and you stay the distance!

Donation by Elaine Bartlett on 01/03/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Hopefully the training will be worth it in the end.

Donation by Nigel on 01/03/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Good luck Emma xx

Donation by Amy Richards on 01/03/10

£26.00

+ £7.33 Gift Aid

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oh man. i'm out of breath just thinking about it. go rich go!!

Donation by Anthony Baines on 01/03/10

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Just put one foot in front of the other Fiona (about 46000 times!)

Donation by Tim & Fiona Jolly on 28/02/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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All the best Richard!

Donation by Jennifer McAnuff on 28/02/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good luck Richard. See you out there. Pip

Donation by Philippa Griffin on 28/02/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Good luck!

Donation by Katy Brown on 28/02/10

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Go Hammill go!

Donation by Rosie Gains on 28/02/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Good luck Hammill - you can do it!

Donation by Suzanne Hawley on 28/02/10

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Good luck everyone

Donation by Alan Delmonte on 26/02/10

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Good luck, Gerard. We're proud of you!

Donation by Mum and Dad on 26/02/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Best of luck Fiona, Sue and Richard from all at CGC Events

Donation by Pete Wigglesworth on 26/02/10

£100.00

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Lisa (Cheekpieces) Clare (Chifney Bit) Izzy (Blinkers) Best of luck girls.

Donation by Kevin Darley on 25/02/10

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Donation by Mrs Dinah C Nicholson on 25/02/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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good luck mate!!! 3hr 15min target right?

Donation by Dils on 25/02/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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I will double this if Olly does it in a gorilla suit! Good luck son a worthy cause!

Donation by Chris Todd on 25/02/10

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Good luck Emma - give those blisters a run for our money! Patsy

Donation by Patsy Dunne on 25/02/10

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Good luck Olly - you're an absolute nutter !

Donation by Tom Edwards on 25/02/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Olly and Norris! love Kat x x

Donation by Kutahya Albrecht on 25/02/10

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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40,000 GBP my arse. 3 hours 30 mins my arse.

Donation by Mike Edwards on 25/02/10

£50.00

Donation summary

  • * Online donations£23,095.21
  • Offline donations£16,449.02
  • Text donations£0.00
  • Total raised£39,544.23
  • Gift Aid£5,391.62

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.