I am heading off to the Big Apple this Autumn to take part in the New York Marathon to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. My route will take me through all five of the city’s boroughs and past every one of the city’s world famous landmarks. I will be starting out on theVerazanoNarrowsBridge, running through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan, and then finally crossing the all-important finishing line inCentral Park.

My reason's for me doing this is that I wanted to take on a challenge in 2008 and raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care at the same time. I’ve had experience of people close to me die from cancer and Marie Curie will help make it possible for people who are terminally ill to be cared for at home. The New York Marathon is going to be tough but I’ve been training hard and hope to enjoy the day in an amazing city.

Local fundraiser, Liz Gow said: “The New York Marathon is such a special event for Matt to take part in and such an incredible achievement, particularly as the money he raises will be helping Marie Curie Nurses to give free one-to-one care to terminally ill people in the area. Everyone here in at Marie Curie appreciates his fantastic support and will be cheering him on from back home inSouth Yorkshire!”

Your money will benefit the following:

£5 pays for bereavement booklets to support 20 children

£20 pays for a Marie Curie Nurse for one hour in a patient’s home

£160 pays for a full shift for a Marie Curie Nurse in a patient’s home

£500 buys one hour of scientific research

£1,250 would buy a portable oxygen system that will relieve distressing symptoms wherever the patient happens to be, so not confining them to bed

£2,750 will cover the cost of Marie Curies Cancer Care’s nationwide nursing service for one hour

For 2007/2008 Marie Curie Cancer Care expects to care for 27,000 people – the equivalent to filling five Royal Albert Halls

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Marie Curie Cancer Care 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.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Matty Stubbings