Jo Macbeth is fundraising for AbleChildAfrica

Jo Macbeth's Fundraising Page

Flora London Marathon 2009

on 26/04/2009

Training run at Reading 1/2 Marathon

Photos (1)

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Raising money for

AbleChildAfrica

Charity Registration No. 326859

AbleChildAfrica exists to improve the lives of the estimated 50m children and young people who are living with disability in Africa. We do this by supporting partner organisations to carry out life changing work with them. We think disabled children and disabled young people should be allowed to decide what changes they would like to see, so we make sure that the organisations which we work with actively involve disabled children and young people in their decision making. We have been working in East Africa for the past twenty years and during that time have affected the lives of over 250,000 disabled children and young people. We are currently working in Uganda and Kenya and hope to expand our work to other African countries in the future. The programmes we run include rehabilitative healthcare, inclusive education, parents support groups, children's after school clubs and campaigning work which seeks the full inclusion of disabled children and disabled young people in policy and practice everywhere we work.

Page owner

Jo Macbeth

RSS

Raised: 122%

Target: £1,200.00
Raised so far: £1,461.90

Donate now

My story

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. So what am I fundraising for?

For several years my best friend Nicole has endeavoured to run the London Marathon but never got a place. Now as you probably know, I like a good challenge, but even I used to say that running 26 miles was total madness. Until this year.

Now, I find myself running 5 times a week training for this year’s marathon. And why? Many reasons, but mainly so that I can see if I can. To see if I have what it takes to push myself physically, mentally and emotionally further than I ever have before. To find out exactly what I’m made of. But I’m also doing it for all the obvious reasons; to raise money for a charity that I’m passionate about, to lose weight and to do a remarkable thing with my best friend.

So why did I choose AbleChildAfrica? Well I wanted to run for a charity about which I could feel passionate. I chose AbleChildAfrica because its sole purpose is to support disabled children and young people in Africa achieve their full potential and have as active lives as possible.

Having been on a trip to Kenyatwo years ago and spent time with children at a Maasai school, I really wanted to run for an African children’s charity. I’d like to help other people realise their potential just like the marathon will do for me.

And helping them do that is really easy. For just £20, a young disabled person in could be trained in basic computer skills. For another £25, a disabled child in could receive a month’s schooling. And amazingly, for £125 a young person incould go on a vocational training programme for a whole year.

I’m looking to raise £1200 which could provide a year’s worth of physiotherapy for 40 (yes 40) young disabled children in Kenya. Now that would be fantastic!

I know for some of you times are tough out there. So, if you can only spare a few pounds or so that would be great…it all makes a difference.

Donating through this site is quick, easy and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: AbleChildAfrica 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.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Update 2 March – week 12, long run, 150 mins/15 miles

The last few weeks of training have been pretty mixed. On the one hand, the weather has been so wonderful - we've really been lucky with some lovely Sunday morning sunshine. But on the other hand, we had a tough 13 mile training run a couple of weeks ago when we ran the back 13 of the marathon course through the streets of London.

Not sure if it was all the stopping and starting due to traffic, pedestrians or the numerous loo stops (!) but our legs were really heavy and as we got round the bend at Buckingham Palace and headed up The Mall, I don't think either Cole or I could have run any further. Our confidence was well and truely knocked.

So it was with renewed vigour that we took on the 15 miles this week and we had without doubt the best training run both of us have ever had. I still can't see where I'm going to find an extra 11 miles from...but it was just what we needed.

This week we take on Reading Half Marathon so we're going to aim for a solid, consistent pace of 10 minute miles and hope to do a time of about 2hrs 10 mins - wish us luck!

	Jo congrats - better start training for next year!! Donation by Ian & Joy Clark 21/05/09	£35.00 + £9.87 Gift Aid
	You are a very energetic girl! Donation by Muriel and Les Perks 17/05/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Absolutely brilliant - well done! Donation by Mair Fear 13/05/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Didn't you do well! Congratulations! Donation by Peggy Tudor 29/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	well done wee jo!!!!! Donation by Jim & Chris MACBETH 27/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done luv!!! Donation by Ross Calthorpe 25/04/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Enjoy! Donation by Peter Rampling 24/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good Luck for sunday!! Will be looking out for those orange laces!! Donation by Nick Rose 24/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	I can't believe how generous everyone is, once more, give it your best and that'll be more than enough, we'll all be thinking of you xxx Donation by Helen (again) 24/04/09	£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid
	Good luck for Saturday...we will be there to cheer you on! xx Donation by Anna-Lisa 23/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	I can't wait to hear all about it!! Enjoy it, it'll hurt but it'll be worth it!! Looking forward to seeing your medal! Donation by Kit Mills 16/04/09	£26.50 + £7.47 Gift Aid
	good luck Jo, will be thinking of the pain you'll be going through on the day!!!!! Donation by Verena 15/04/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	It will hurt like hell, but you'll feel like you can conquer the world... will be right there with you. E x Donation by Esther 14/04/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Good Luck Jo - I have every faith in you! Donation by Laura 14/04/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Hope you meet your target on donations and that you enjoy the race. We'll be thinking of you on the day - good luck! xx Donation by C and T 13/04/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Good Luck, I'm sure it will go well on the day. . Donation by Helen Kelley 13/04/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Good Luck, hope the feet and lungs hold out , we'll be watching from the settee! Donation by John and Mary Kelley 13/04/09	£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
	Go for it Jo! Donation by Anne Rees 05/04/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Your Dad's very persuasive! Well done for such a good cause. Donation by David Smith 03/04/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Good luck Po! Reading was a brilliant warm up for the main event! We are so proud of you and can't wait to celebrate with you at the finish! xx Donation by Katherine, Ross & Squeka 31/03/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	Go, Jo! You know you can! We are proud to know that you've chosen such a worthy cause .Best wishes from both of us! Donation by Dave & Fran Winter 29/03/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Go for it....best of luck Donation by Lynda Brown 27/03/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	whether you think you can or whether you think you cant, you are probably right. choose that you can! go for it jo. Donation by colin & su watt 27/03/09	£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
	We take our hats off to anyone (well we would if we had any!) who is prepared to do this to help others less fortunate than ourselves . Donation by Richard and Anna Poynter 27/03/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Impressive....good luck! Donation by Annabel Sweet 26/03/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck and don't pee on route! Donation by Ann and Denis Rose 22/03/09	£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
	Good luck Jo x Donation by Rob and Linda Palmer 22/03/09	£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid
	I'm so proud of you - you're doing an amazing thing and i have no doubt in my mind that you'll do it with bells on! H xxx Donation by Helen 13/03/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Good luck Jo, hope the training and lucozade gels work!! xx Donation by Kay Fullick 12/03/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Will be cheering you on on the day! Good luck Jo - all the training will be well worth it! x x Donation by Bethan Palmer 11/03/09	£26.20 + £7.39 Gift Aid

Donate now

* Total raised online:	£1,461.90
Offline donations:	£0.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£394.00

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