Raised: 201%
Target: £1,500.00
Raised so far: £3,016.47
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My story

 

*** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE ***

Dear friends, family & colleagues

Race/run day has been here and gone and I managed to complete it. More than that I managed to beat my personal target of 50 mins, finishing in 99th place out of 446 with a time of 48mins 43 secs. Only four runners were under 40 mins so to say I am pleased is an understatement.

More than that though is the achievement that you all have contributed to. As I type this update the total amount you and I have raised for the hospice is £2,750. The hills may have been tough and painful but it was very much worth it. Potentially a half marathon will be next and who knows, perhaps a full one.

Thank you all very much indeed,

Mark x

Firstly, I am not a natural runner and my knees are more brittle than an ‘Airfix’ model. I have though decided to enter the Tunbridge Wells 10k (that's 6.21 miles in old money). This is a very hilly course around the town. Perhaps one day I will look to run a big one, but this is big enough for me just now. Please sponsor me to support my charity, the Hospice in the Weald, a charity so close to my heart. The reason for this follows.....

On 23rd January 2008 Jo, my beautiful wife, best friend & soulmate, adoring mother to our children, great friend to many and inspirational teacher to even more, was told by an oncologist the words we all fear. She had been diagnosed  with aggressive ovarian cancer exactly 6 months previously on 23rd July 07 and had suffered such a horrific ordeal following this as she had intensive chemotherapy and many nights in Charing Cross Hospital.

On that date in January we were told it was terminal and she only had weeks to live. We could not come to terms with this but Jo, still with a sense of knowing what she wanted asked to go into a hospice. Two days later I took her from the hospital to the hospice which is only two miles from our house. Her condition was such that she needed a wheelchair and she should have gone by ambulance but her pride and dignity refused this.

When she entered her room at the hospice her face lit up and for a while her beaming smile returned. The facilities were perfect for her after all she had been through. All the staff were so devoted to their duty and nothing was too much. After six months of being treated Jo was now being cared and loved. The dedication of some of the nurses was inspirational. Importantly they maintained her dignity against such cruel and debilitating circumstances and allowed me to assist in her care.

Jo died on 7th February 2008. She was only 40 years old.

Hospices are only part funded by the NHS, a very small part. They need donations to keep going, even so not all the rooms at Hospices can be open due to finances. The Hospice in the Weald continues to support us. I feel a little suffering and pain on my part to pay something back is the least I can do. Do feel free to share this page with others so that together we may raise as much as possible.

Thank you

Mark x 

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Hospice in the Weald gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

Not bad for an old boy! Donation by Barnesy 30/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Nice one buddy! Donation by Reuben and Juliet 26/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Mark, our thoughts are with you. Donation by Kev and Suzanna 23/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A pound for every minute you were running! Donation by The Simpsons 22/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hope it went well Mark - will text later to see how your knees are! x Donation by The Andrews 21/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck ! Donation by Simon Keates 21/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Wishing you all the best.. Donation by Steve and Shirley Keates 21/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

HOW! Donation by Jez Taylor 21/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck, its only 10k! if your knees start hurting its Jo trying to tell you something. x Donation by The Baileys 20/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope your knees hold out, good luck! x Donation by Charlie Marshall 20/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck and all the best to you all. xxx Donation by Sarah Keates 19/09/08  

£75.00 + £21.15 Gift Aid

Wow - what an achievement Jo would have been amazed and so proud . Donation by Libby 19/09/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark - we know you'll do it. Donation by Jim and Viv Gleave 19/09/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Best of luck, hope all goes well. Jo would be so proud. x x Donation by Jeanette, Michael, Mike and Diana 18/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck Mr G - onwards and upwards. Donation by T 18/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck Donation by clare + Ian 18/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Mark. You can do it!!! Donation by Joanna Morris 17/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Can't see how you're going to get your office chair up those hills..... Donation by Pete + Roz Heaton 17/09/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Loads of luck Mark! x Donation by Tracey Vidler 16/09/08  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Have a fantastic run Mark - we'll be sending you 'keep going' vibes! Donation by Jophy and Simon 16/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

All the best, such an amazing thing to do, what a top bloke. x Donation by Ginger Rachel Davies + Carl Howson 15/09/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

London Marathon next ?! All the best and good luck xx Donation by Janet Neil Hale 15/09/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark. Love Sarah, Ian, Alex and Georgia x Donation by Sarah and Ian Briggs 15/09/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark. What a fantastic sum you have raised for the Hospice in the Weald. Jo would be very proud of you. Donation by Maureen Utting 14/09/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark, hope the run goes well!!! Donation by Lynne and Claire Bournazian 14/09/08  

£25.00

We're both with you in spirit (though in practice we're probably lying in bed somewhere!) Well done! Donation by Tiff, Ade and family 10/09/08  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Jo's watching you and laughing!! Donation by Ness and Abi 10/09/08  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Enjoy the run, and well done for raising so much for such a worth while cause, lots of love Caroline, Jon and Matt Donation by Caroline Knight 09/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark Donation by Claire Wheeler 09/09/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good for you mark, Hope Knees hold out enjoy the moment you cross the finish line knowing you made it happen. Proud of you as always. Donation by Fiona David Thomas Sarah and Joseph 09/09/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £2,430.00
  Offline donations: £586.47
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £623.33

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