Ewan Rayment
Ewan Rayment's Fundraising Page
Fundraising for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity
Story
Race report & a massive THANK YOU for all your kind and generous support and sponsorship.
Without getting as much sleep as I probably should have done, the day started with beautiful weather as runners from all around converged on three stations within London. I aimed for Maze Hill and hoped for the best as we were turned into sardines on the LDR.
Despite the 6am start on a Sunday morning (earlier for some who travelled from further afield) the atmosphere was already electric. Trying not to set off too quick is the order of the day, and the advice that everyone always gives although I'm not sure how that's possible with thousands of runners all around you, it feels like the tube again!
By about mile four or five, people start to spread out, there is more room and you can stretch your legs and get into the stride of it. That is until I hit about mile sixteen when my body suddenly reminded me of what I was doing, and telling me that I really shouldn't continue, unfortunately it kept telling me this until I finished, finally, in 4hrs 21mins.
It's the overwhelming support and enthusiasm of the people coming to watch and the other runners that got me around, despite experiencing the four seasons every twenty minutes for four hours, when you are feeling like you can't take another step someone will shout out your name to give you a push which really helps you to keep on going. I was delighted to be getting huge cheers at one point until I turned around to see someone wearing only underwear run past and realised it wasn't quite me that was getting the extra attention - at least I didn't get overtaken by the rhinos.
Although it was head down, and one foot in front of the other for most of the way it's hard to miss the amazing sites of London as you run past the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, through the Docklands and finally onto the Mall and get caught up in the fun and excitement (and beer drinking! - not for runners) along the way.
Finishing the crossing line was an incredible feeling, not just to be able to stop running (a needed relief) but to realise why you did it, and who you did it for, the support and sponsorship has been incredible and I can't thank people enough for that.
I'm delighted by the work that the Red Balloon Appeal is doing and having seen first hand the difference it makes I hope people will continue to support this amazing cause, for me, that's the real Marathon.
________________________________________________________________
It's Marathon time!
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online today.
What?
In 2005 I completed the London Marathon and vowed (I think around the mile 17 mark) never to do it again.
Having moved to Birmingham and seen the fantastic work that the Children's Hospital does, I've found myself signed up to the 2008 London Marathon to raise money for the excellent work they do there.
There are two challenges here - one to get around the course in a better time than I did in 2005, and the other and more important one is to raise £2000 for The Red Balloon Appeal (more about that below).
How?
The training has already started and its going to continue for 5 months, running 3/4 times per week.
When?
It all starts now, and that goes for the fundraising too :) Please sponsor me today. Not only does every penny count towards the most amazing cause, it helps me get through the dark, cold and wet training runs this winter (the more money we can raise earlier, the better!)
Who?
The Red Balloon Appeal was set up to raise a remaining £3 million pounds to go towards a new Paediatric Burn Centre at the Children's Hospital (overall a £19 million pound project) which was desperately needed. £2.7 million has already been raised and now we're on the final straight - you're donations will make a big difference.
This is where your money will go towards
- The Burn Centre - nine beds for all levels of care
- Neonatal Surgical Unit - 15 cots for babies requiring surgery
- Education Centre - teaching rooms
- Play room for Burn Patients
Burn injuries often mean that the children spend a long time away from home, it's so important to have the right facilities and a good environment for them to recover in. Every donation will make a difference - do something to feel proud of and please give what you can today.
You can read more about the appeal here - www.redballoonappeal.com
Donations
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. All you have to do is press the 'Sponsor me now >' button at the top of the page and it takes 2 minutes. 2 minutes of your time to make a lot of people very happy :)
If you are prepared to give a larger donation, please get in touch.
Of course, I would be delighted to hear from anyone - just email me at ewan.rayment@gmail.com
Thank you!
Without getting as much sleep as I probably should have done, the day started with beautiful weather as runners from all around converged on three stations within London. I aimed for Maze Hill and hoped for the best as we were turned into sardines on the LDR.
Despite the 6am start on a Sunday morning (earlier for some who travelled from further afield) the atmosphere was already electric. Trying not to set off too quick is the order of the day, and the advice that everyone always gives although I'm not sure how that's possible with thousands of runners all around you, it feels like the tube again!
By about mile four or five, people start to spread out, there is more room and you can stretch your legs and get into the stride of it. That is until I hit about mile sixteen when my body suddenly reminded me of what I was doing, and telling me that I really shouldn't continue, unfortunately it kept telling me this until I finished, finally, in 4hrs 21mins.
It's the overwhelming support and enthusiasm of the people coming to watch and the other runners that got me around, despite experiencing the four seasons every twenty minutes for four hours, when you are feeling like you can't take another step someone will shout out your name to give you a push which really helps you to keep on going. I was delighted to be getting huge cheers at one point until I turned around to see someone wearing only underwear run past and realised it wasn't quite me that was getting the extra attention - at least I didn't get overtaken by the rhinos.
Although it was head down, and one foot in front of the other for most of the way it's hard to miss the amazing sites of London as you run past the Cutty Sark, over Tower Bridge, through the Docklands and finally onto the Mall and get caught up in the fun and excitement (and beer drinking! - not for runners) along the way.
Finishing the crossing line was an incredible feeling, not just to be able to stop running (a needed relief) but to realise why you did it, and who you did it for, the support and sponsorship has been incredible and I can't thank people enough for that.
I'm delighted by the work that the Red Balloon Appeal is doing and having seen first hand the difference it makes I hope people will continue to support this amazing cause, for me, that's the real Marathon.
________________________________________________________________
It's Marathon time!
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online today.
What?
In 2005 I completed the London Marathon and vowed (I think around the mile 17 mark) never to do it again.
Having moved to Birmingham and seen the fantastic work that the Children's Hospital does, I've found myself signed up to the 2008 London Marathon to raise money for the excellent work they do there.
There are two challenges here - one to get around the course in a better time than I did in 2005, and the other and more important one is to raise £2000 for The Red Balloon Appeal (more about that below).
How?
The training has already started and its going to continue for 5 months, running 3/4 times per week.
When?
It all starts now, and that goes for the fundraising too :) Please sponsor me today. Not only does every penny count towards the most amazing cause, it helps me get through the dark, cold and wet training runs this winter (the more money we can raise earlier, the better!)
Who?
The Red Balloon Appeal was set up to raise a remaining £3 million pounds to go towards a new Paediatric Burn Centre at the Children's Hospital (overall a £19 million pound project) which was desperately needed. £2.7 million has already been raised and now we're on the final straight - you're donations will make a big difference.
This is where your money will go towards
- The Burn Centre - nine beds for all levels of care
- Neonatal Surgical Unit - 15 cots for babies requiring surgery
- Education Centre - teaching rooms
- Play room for Burn Patients
Burn injuries often mean that the children spend a long time away from home, it's so important to have the right facilities and a good environment for them to recover in. Every donation will make a difference - do something to feel proud of and please give what you can today.
You can read more about the appeal here - www.redballoonappeal.com
Donations
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. If you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. All you have to do is press the 'Sponsor me now >' button at the top of the page and it takes 2 minutes. 2 minutes of your time to make a lot of people very happy :)
If you are prepared to give a larger donation, please get in touch.
Of course, I would be delighted to hear from anyone - just email me at ewan.rayment@gmail.com
Thank you!