Story
Final update 30 November 2006
Just to say a REALLY BIG THANK YOU to you all for your generous support, which has allowed me to raise almost £1400 for the Bobby Moore Fund, following my efforts in the Great North Run on 1st October 2006. With the Gift Aid that applies to a large part of the donations, the sum will increase to nearly £1700 in all, which is far in excess of my initial target of £1000.
As part of Cancer Research UK, the Bobby Moore Fund will put all your donations to very good use in their efforts to research, prevent and treat bowel cancer, which will certainly benefit many people in the years to come, maybe even some of our nearest and dearest.
Many thanks, once again, for your excellent support. It is greatly appreciated by the Bobby Moore Fund, Cancer Research UK, and by me, too! Cheers!!
John Girdwood __________________________________________________________________
Update 3 October – post race (and sleep!)
Sunday was an excellent day.
Despite it being a very hot day again, over 20 degrees for much of the way round, and there being so many other runners, I managed to do my best time so far of 2 hours 7 minutes and 6 seconds, for 14543rd place; much better than on both previous occasions so I was quite pleased with that.
As usual, the spectators were fantastic, applauding, cheering and encouraging us all on our way. However, it was also pleasing to know that I also had the support of my generous sponsors behind me, and that certainly helped keep my legs going right to the end. That, and the Red Arrows, who started their fantastic display, just as I was finishing.
Funds are still coming in well, so thanks again to those of you who have been so generous and supportive. If you have been meaning to donate but just forgotten to do so, or just not got round to it as yet, don’t worry, as you can still use this site for a few more weeks yet, or you can give me a ring on 07739 326036 and I’ll add you to my other sponsors list. If you haven’t donated as yet, please do so sooner rather than later and be as generous as you can. It would be really great if I could reach my target of £1310 (equivalent to £100 per mile) for the Bobby Moore Fund at Cancer Research UK if at all possible.
Whilst I didn’t see anybody famous on the run itself, I did see Findlay Young in the Cancer Research marquee at the finish. If I thought one half marathon was tiring, this guy had just completed 24 half marathons in 24 days that included travelling all around the world. And he still managed a sprint finish at the end of it all! Absolutely amazing guy!!
Thanks again for your support.
John Girdwood
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Original message - pre-race
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page – even more so if you are someone who has kindly supported my previous efforts.
It is that time of year again and I will be taking part in my third Great North Run on Sunday 1st October, trying to raise funds once again for the Bobby Moore Fund, which is part of Cancer Research UK. The Bobby Moore Fund was set up by Bobby’s widow, Stephanie Moore, after his premature death due to bowel cancer in 1993, at the age of only 51. Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK (after breast and lung) with almost 100 people diagnosed with it every day, and it affects both men and women in equal numbers. However, in many cases, it is preventable by lifestyle changes to diet, exercise regimes and weight control, and can be treated by various drugs developed during extensive research in a variety of establishments, now including a new laboratory opened in late 2005 funded entirely by the Bobby Moore Fund. The major factor in successful treatment is the identification of the cancer at an early stage, so extensive screening is also being researched and promoted, and is due to start being implemented later this year.
Bobby Moore was my big football hero when I was a lad, and I watched him play many times for West Ham and for England, including some of the games at the 1966 World Cup Finals. His life was lost far too young to a disease that could possibly have been treated successfully if it had been identified earlier. Hopefully, my efforts and your support can go some way to ensuring that fewer lives are lost unnecessarily to this disease. All amounts, large or small, will be gratefully received, so please give as generously as you can. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me as the Bobby Moore Fund will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift by that kind Mr. Brown, at no extra cost to you. So, please dig deep and sponsor me online.
PS – Hope you like the new “action” photo, taken when completing one of my training events (the Stone St Michaels 10km) back in late June – honestly, there were other people taking part in the race, it is just that most of them were a very long way in front of me!
PPS – If you would rather not have received this mail, then please accept my apologies for troubling you.
PPPS – If you know someone else that might be interested in my efforts and prepared to assist, please forward this mail to them.
Many thanks for your support.
John Girdwood