On Sunday 22nd April I will be attempting to run The London Marathon in order to raise more money for CRY (www.c-r-y.org.uk). Any further money we manage to raise from this event will, like all the previous donations (around £60,000), go towards a number of incredibly worthwhile projects. These include raising awareness of cardiac risk in the young, funding medical research into sudden cardiac death, donating cardiac equipment to hospitals and doctor's surgeries, supporting a national heart screening programme, funding the centre for Sports Cardiology at the British Olympic Medical Centre, and helping families affected by sudden cardiac death.
As most of you know, I lost my dear wife Katrina on July 2nd last year - she died having just completed The British 10k in London from a minor undetected heart condition. I miss her so so desperately, like many of us do, and I have been carried through the last six months by my amazing family (Mum, Dad, Jason and Sabina), Katrina's truly wonderful family, and some incredible friends. I could never find the words to express my gratitude to you all for your limitless love and support and I know that Katrina would also be so very thankful. I have never met someone so loving, caring and thoughtful as Katrina, and I'm sure she would admire the way so many of the people she loved have helped each other get through these last six months. Some of Katrina's wonderful qualities appear to have rubbed off on those closest to her.
I'm not sure of the exact route of the marathon, but I imagine it will take in some of the amazing buildings, monuments and parks which caused Katrina to love London so much. She used to say that when the sun was shining, there was nowhere else she would rather be. I wish with all my heart that she could be there to enjoy the day too.
I am very aware that all of you have been so very generous since the summer in donating to CRY, and for this reason I will entirely understand if you sponsor me £1 or £2, or even nothing at all. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cardiac Risk in the Young 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.
Many thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
Ps Good luck to fellow runners Richard Harris, Ed, Bob, Mark and Eddie.
Links to other pages set up in Katrina's memory:
www.justgiving.com/katrinabrown
www.justgiving.com/10kforkatrina
www.justgiving.com/saints10k
www.justgiving.com/kbbeautifulprizedraw
