Dear All

Thank heavens that is over, but what an amazing day. Indeed, what a humbling experience to see thousands of people, battling round in the warm sunshine raising money for so many charities. Humbling too to see so many lining the streets - a fantastic atmosphere, with many offering jelly babies (my own favourite), oranges, even lollipops, cheering everyone on. Why can't London be so friendly every day?

Well, the disruption to training came home to roost and the legs tired very early and I have to say that I found it very hard work. Hats off to all finishers - the marathon distance deserves enormous respect! In the end I managed to dip in under 4 hours at 3hr 58m 33s, my claim to fame being that, having lagged Gordon Ramsay at Canary Wharf (apparently), I was over that finishing line whilst he was still approaching the final straight!

Well done too to Alain and Virgina van West and all the JM runners - it was hot out there and Alain has had more injuries than you can shake a stick at: a very determined effort. Bravo. So too to the three Wombles - Ben dipped in comfortably under 5 hours which, in that costume, is amazing.

By the way, given Fr Kevin's one-legged man experience I would be more than happy to share with anyone my own!

Most importantly, however, I need to thank all those of you have so kindly sponsored me - thanks to your generosity I have been able to raise far in excess of my original target. This has been so very encouraging and a tremendous support for me and I am immensely grateful to you all. Whilst the legs are aching a bit the morning after, that discomfort will ease soon. The wonderful work that the sponsorship money will go to fund projects that will be much more enduring: please see the JM website to remind yourself of those projects earmarked to benefit this year in such needy places as Zimbabwe (including a school in Mbare and several projects to support orphaned children), Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa and Guyana. You all deserve to share the warm feeling inside!

http://www.jesuitmissions.org.uk/

For those visiting who have not sponsored me . . . well, it's not too late . . . At least now you know that I managed to complete it so the sponsorship money has been fairly earned!

So, the Chubby Cherub now has the Eastbourne Half and the London Marathon on his CV. Who'd have thought? Thank you to Fr Kevin for the inspiration, to my dear Rachel for her wonderful encouragement, support and, above all, patience during all that training, and thank you to Potty as my Campaign Manager. What a team!

That just leaves me to thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to visit this site (again) - your support has been much appreciated by me and my team mates and we know that your generosity will make a tremendous difference for the many who benefit from Jesuit Missions' work both at home and abroad.

Best wishes

John