Christopher Burnett

The Mark Futcher Appeal

Fundraising for The Rainbow Centre For Conductive Education Ltd
£4,183
raised of £5,000 target
by 130 supporters
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Event: Robin Hood Half/ Full Marathon 2006
Participants: Chris Burnett, Pete Burnett, El Drew, Andy Merritt, Dean Pomeroy, Tony Gibby, Mark Ryder, Rob Kent, Karen Miller, Kate Brundle, Natalie Toole
We help people with motor disabilities to improve their quality of life.

Story

WE DID IT!!!!!!!

On the 10th September myself and 8 others took part in the Robin Hood Half Marathon, and thankfully we all completed the run. The reason we took part in the Robin Hood Half Marathon is because on the 20th November  2005 my Brother -in-Law Mark Futcher passed away  sudenly  of an hereditary heart condition at the young age of 35. Mark left behind his wife Maria and his 3 year old daughter Lauren.  Firstly we wanted to  make sure that something positive came out of this tragedy.  Secondly we wanted to raise awareness of Mark's condition, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. And thirdly we wanted to raise awareness and raise some money for the Rainbow Centre.

Mark and Maria's daughter Lauren was born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy and is a member of the Rainbow Centre in Fareham, It uses a system of learning called Conductive Education to enable children to overcome the difficulties caused by their condition. I have seen first hand with Lauren and her friends at the centre, the valuable work  this organisation carry's out., and benefits it brings to the children. They really do need our help and support to enable them to continue the amazing work that they do.

There were over 18000 runners taking part and our running times and positions are as follows;

Dean Pomeroy                          339th         1hr 32mins
Jonathan (Mark) Ryder            797th          1hr 41
Chris Burnett                             3409th        2hr 1
Tony Gibby                                 3543rd        2hr 2
Rob Kent                                    4098th        2hr 8
Pete Burnett                               4792nd       2hr 15
Natalie Toole                             5886th        2hr 29
Andy Merrit                                  6431st        2hr 38
El Drew                                       6432nd       2hr 38

The run itself had more hills than all of us expected and there were time when all of us wondered what we had got ourselves into. Our hats go off to both Dean and Jonathan who both run the half marathon in unbelievable times.

I was extremely pleased that after years of being the unfit one in the family I managed to beat my younger brother by a massive 14 minutes!!!

A special mention has to be made to Andy Merrit who carries a few more pounds than the rest of us, and who's training regime consisted of KFC Bargain Buckets and the odd brisk walk. Before the run Andy had only ever ran 2 miles in his life, yet he managed to complete a full 7 miles before stopping. You have to bear a thought to El Drew at this point who could have ran the race in a quicker time but had agreed that he would run with Andy. El had to endure Andy's constant winging about the pain he was experiencing for the last 7 miles!

All in all it was a sterling effort by everyone and we are all very pleased with the amount of money we have raised so far - £3657. A huge thank you has to go to News International PLC who have donated the Rainbow Centre £1000 as a result of our efforts.

Now that we have completed the run there is even more reason for you donate to the Rainbow Centre so please, please did deep. Every little helps and the children at the rainbow centre really need your help!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Rainbow Centre For Conductive Education Ltd 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.

All the best.

Chris Burnett and Team

About the charity

The Rainbow Centre is Fareham based charity that provides Conductive Education to children with Cerebral Palsy, adults with MS, Parkinson’s and Stroke & Head Injury sufferers. CE focus's on emotional, social, cognitive and physical development with aims to improve the individuals quality of life.

Donation summary

Total raised
£4,182.50
+ £669.17 Gift Aid
Online donations
£2,767.50
Offline donations
£1,415.00

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