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.

As long as you are actually running and not doing it in a 3 wheeled Citroen!!! ;-) Donation by Richard Lynch 01/08/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark Donation by Tony&Sue Whetstone 01/08/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Jo will be watching, no doubt with a rye smile! Donation by Kath Busby 31/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck with the training! Donation by James Gleave 31/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Point that schneb at the fininshing line! Donation by Chris Teague 30/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

You can do it Mark, the knees will just look a little more knobbly afterwards Donation by Tracey K-K 30/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

" Run Forest ..Run!!!" Best wishes mate Donation by Graham Bacon 29/07/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Go, Mate...it's a fantastic thing to do and it makes me very proud to call you 'friend' Donation by Ceebs 29/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck, Mark. Donation by Kevin & Lisa Ginsberg 28/07/08  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Norman &Beryl Ginsberg Donation by Norman Ginsberg 28/07/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

good luck, Marc London marathon next ? Donation by anthony andrews 28/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck! Great cause! Donation by Sam York 28/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go for it! Donation by Vicki Galbraith 27/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good on you Donation by Mike&Veron 27/07/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

best of luck Donation by brian pembroke 26/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

you will complete it, mark Donation by morag keenan 26/07/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

God luck your knees will be fine Donation by Paul & Jan Glanville 24/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

good luck mark we know you will do it Donation by Mum 7 Dad 24/07/08  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

All the best Mark. When it gets hard remember it is all for a good cause. Kim and Iain Donation by Kim and Iain Cameron 24/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Lynne & Nick Donation by Nick & Lynne Graves 24/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark xx Donation by Jane Ripley 24/07/08  

£10.00

Good luck with the run, sure you'll make it Donation by Peter & Gloria Fox 24/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck from all @ TTSC Donation by Tonbridge Town SC 24/07/08  

£25.00

Good luck. But be careful with your knees!! Donation by Diane & Ian Pullen 24/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Mark xxx Donation by Barry and Andrea Delderfields 23/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck, Mark. We'll all be right behind you. Donation by Barry & Gwen Bone 23/07/08  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Best of luck Marc we're sure you'll make it XXX Donation by Michael & Sheree Marks 23/07/08  

£10.00

Good luck Mark. Donation by Sarah Prudhomme 23/07/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck with the run & hope you reach your £400 target. Donation by Bob Elliott 23/07/08  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

GOOD LUCK Donation by Babs mills 23/07/08  

£5.00
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* Total raised online: £2,430.00
  Offline donations: £586.47
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £623.33

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