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.
Jo
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!
