Story
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two Sundays, Two Marathons, Two Medals, Two Great Charities, Two Aching Legs and One Massive Thank You</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">To everyone who supported me with actual or agreement for sponsorship of either the Brighton Marathon for Make A Wish last Sunday, (my first ever), or for this weekend’s London Marathon (most probably my last!), for Hill Park Autistic Trust. I want to say a massive thank you as I’m pleased to confirm I have now survived and completed both events. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">There were a fair few, dark, cold, and wet evenings when pounding the streets on training runs in February, I was asking myself, ‘Why am I doing this and is it really worth all this effort? The answer to this question is without doubt, a resounding yes! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being part of any marathon is special, as I discovered while taking part in the Brighton Marathon on the 15</span><span style="font-size: small;"> of April, which I completed in just over 5 hours. Seven days later and I found myself on the start line of what has to be one of the greatest sporting events in the world, the London Marathon. Words are difficult to find that convey how great a feeling it is to be one of almost 37,000 people running around London with thousands of well wishers cheering you from mile 1 to mile 26.2. The view whilst running over Tower Bridge is a memory I will never forget, as will the moment that despite the pain, and at that point the rain, I finally crossed the finish line in just under 5 and a half hours, and picked up my second finishers medal.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Hill Park Autistic Trust are the great local charity that gave me the opportunity to run and raise money for them, and it is they, the supporters on the streets of London and most importantly all of you who sponsored me, that I must thank for giving me one of the greatest weeks of my life so far.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: &quot;Calibri&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; font-size: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">I’m yet to collate all of the monies for the two charities from individuals and companies who have pledged their support, but it’s looking like to total raised might end up above £2000 which is just fantastic. Thank you all.</span></p>
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<p>Through my profession I have been involved with Hill Park Autistic Trust who are a local charity doing great things for people affected by Autism. At the outset of our working relationship, I said I'd like to do more where I could, so when I got a call from the Treasurer asking if I would be prepared to train for, and run the London Marathon on their behalf, and attempt to raise some money for the cause, I couldn't say no.</p>
<p>Training now is underway for my attempt to run 26.2 miles and the hope is that I can do justice to the course and to the charity that has given me the chance to do this thing for them.</p>
<p>I'd really appreciate any support you can give me for what is a very worthwhile local charity. For more details about Hill Park Autistic Trust please see the website <a href="http://www.hillpark.co.uk/">http://www.hillpark.co.uk/</a></p>
<p>Thanks very much</p>
<p>Lee</p>
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