Mhari Oakes's Fundraising Page
Page creator: Mhari Oakes
Event: Flora London Marathon 2008
Event Date: 13th Apr 2008
Fundraising Page Image
About my charity : Shaw Trust Shaw Trust
Shaw Trust is a national charity providing training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the workplace due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances. They focus on what people can do not what they cannot and believe that everyone should have an equal opportunity to work.
Charity Registration No 287785
Fundraising target:  £1,200.00
My donations to date:  £ 1,215.00
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My personal message:

Well I've done it!! I ran the entire 26.2 miles without stopping but NEVER EVER again. It was an amazing experience, but a bit like childbirth in that it's a lifetime achievement but one you have got to be mad to repeat twice.

At the start line I was very emotional but thankfully I met a lovely girl called Rachel and we really helped each other out. During the marathon I  teamed up with a running partner called David Kelsy, a waiter from London, and we talked and ran for 23 miles. What an amazing man. I couldn't have broken the four hour barrier without him.

So my official time for the Flora London Marathon was 3 hrs 59 minutes!! I came 1,879th out of 35,000 runners and I am over the moon. I beat Ronin Keating and finished in the same time as James Cracknell.

I fought my way past bananas, massai warriors, Rocky Balboa, gorillas and even a man wearing nothing but I g-string (yeah I did have a cheeky peek but that's allowed!).

The first eight miles flew past. I hit 'the wall' at about 18 miles but thankfully two old friends appeared from no-where, David Watson and Ruth Hodson. When they shouted my name my heart lifted and it carried me to the end with a bit of inner strength.

The last five miles were the most difficult  and although I could feel my legs, knee and hamstring pulling a little I didn't feel any pain until AFTER I crossed the finish line.

Then it hit me. Mum shouted my name...my back went to jelly, the pain in my legs was unbelievable and I noticed people on the floor around me. To be honest I wasn't prepared whatsoever for the pain because after my 22 mile training run I was fine.

Thankfully mum was there to pick up the pieces. I jokingly asked a policeman for an ambulance back to the hotel but he just laughed, probably because it was the 100th time he was asked the same question that day. Mum helped me walk everywhere, down stairs and on to the tubes. I think it took us well over an hour to get back to the hotel (2 miles away from the finish). Thanks mum you're a star!

There are so many people I want to thank. I couldn't have done the marathon without the love, support and encouragement of Mike. When people doubted I could run my first ever marathon with 14 weeks of training, Mike said he knew I could do it! Afterwards he said: "...just think, you came 1,879th out of 35,000. That means you beat 33,000 people!"  Ahh he is such a sweetie.

An enormous thank you to Alan and Hilda - the best mum and dad in law a girl could wish for. During my training, they have looked after Cameron so many times I have lost count.

Thanks also to Clare Thomas (Holden) who looked after Cameron on my 22 mile run (it's your turn to do the marathon next year honey!)

I know I am a very very lucky girl because I have the best family and friends in the Universe. I really mean that. You have all helped raise an extraordinary amount of money for my charity Shaw Trust - helping people from all walks of life including those with disabilities, mental health issues, substance-misuse problems and even single parents.

So what now? Well I'm sat recovering in my London hotel typing this e-mail and it would be rude not to visit Harrods down the road. As he's unlikely to read this e-mail I'm sure Mike would love to treat me to a new 'marathon' handbag and shoes (better than any medal).

ONLY joking!!!! Not about the handbag and shoes, but my medal is MUCH BETTER!

Display Name Date Amount Tax Bonus  Comment
Alan&Hilda Oakes 14/04/2008 £30.00 n/a You can do it! 
Gemma and Andy Joy 14/04/2008 £10.00 n/a good luck mazzer! 
Elinor Pollock 14/04/2008 £20.00 n/a Donation from the best godmother in the world! 
kevin + kelly McNaughton 10/04/2008 £50.00 £14.10 good luck mhari!!!! we will do the celebrations as soon as.. you deserve a good drink,with all the training you have put in. xxx 
Amanda, Mark & Isabel 10/04/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Don't forget the vaseline! Good luck xxx 
Helen,Steve& Samuel 10/04/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck! xxx 
Karima 09/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 will be chearing you on from the comfort of my sofa! Good luck Mhari  
clare 05/04/2008 £40.00 £11.28 Mazza u superstar, u've done brilliantly since our photo above,will b with u in spirit on D-Day&gutted not runnin.cant wait 4 coachin tips 4 nxt yr!  
Sarah and Mark Gandy-Burton 01/04/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Can we also donate to buy Mike a padded saddle?? Best of luck Maz xxx 
Louisa 29/03/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Faster than Mike on a bike...Good luck! 
Joan and Syd Hulse 26/03/2008 £20.00 n/a Good luck Mhari! 
Hayley, Nick and Finlay 26/03/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck and don't get lost! x 
Margaret & Paul &Owen &Tony 25/03/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Hey girl, go for it. Scots team Dempsey/Lang behind you all the way. 
Lindsay Ridgway 25/03/2008 £30.00 £8.46 Good luck mate, hope it goes well x x 
Cath, Paul & Ava Greenwood 24/03/2008 £30.00 £8.46 Good Luck Maz !! Will be watching you on the telly on the big day - remember you know a good physio if you're aching afterwards ! lots love x 
Faircloth Ltd 23/03/2008 £100.00 n/a Good luck, good luck, good luck! From David, Darren and all at Faircloth 
Claire, Darren and Darcie 23/03/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Come on Maz-you'll defo be in the top 20 over the finish line at this rate!Dead proud of u cos we know the commitment you've put in to the training.xx 
Les, Col & Nafe 27/02/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Show 'em how it's done! Can't you get Nafe training with ya? 
Laura 26/02/2008 £30.00 £8.46 Good Luck mate! 
Sharon,Steve & Alexander McNamara 25/02/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck Mhari! Wishing you all the very best xxx  
Ricardo Scimeca 25/02/2008 £50.00 n/a  
Mark Kennedy 25/02/2008 £100.00 £28.21  
Nickie Robb 22/02/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck mazza! Hope to see you soon xxx 
Cath & Frank 21/02/2008 £30.00 n/a Good Luck Mhari - this is just a little bit longer than a "hash"!! 
Henry & Dorothy 13/02/2008 £20.00 £5.64 have fun hope you make it in under 3 hours! 
Michael & Fiona 01/02/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Hope you move faster then your Hubby! 
John Crainie 31/01/2008 £10.00 £2.82 pay day - ya beauty - can afford to sponsor u now mhairi - gaun yersel hen 
Norm 30/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 If you're not in front of Paula Ratcliffe, watch where you're putting your feet!! 
Stephen McPhail 29/01/2008 £50.00 n/a Cardiff City Footballer donation 
Josephine and John 28/01/2008 £20.00 n/a Go Mental-Marathon-Mhari!! xx 
Sarah Kelly 27/01/2008 £10.00 £2.82 You go girl, Know you can do it. 
Andrew, Janet, Hannah & Ross Williams 23/01/2008 £50.00 £14.10 we'll be encouraging you on along every step of the way (sitting at home watching tele)!! 
Pete Liz Tom & Alex 17/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 All the very best from the Way-Riders we know you will do it 
Chris Cooper 16/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Well done Mhari. Good luck on the day 
Sally Bradbury 16/01/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck!! xxx 
Sally and Rob 16/01/2008 £50.00 £14.10 Good luck xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Kenny - BTLB Cheshire 16/01/2008 £25.00 £7.05 Good Luck to you both!! 
Charis 15/01/2008 £15.00 n/a Go girls! Totally in awe! 
Paul, Kerryann, Callum & Pads 14/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Come On Mhari, Show us what you are made of. Good Luck, we will be Cheering for you 
Joe Weldon 14/01/2008 £20.00 £5.64 Good luck! 
Nicola Dufty 14/01/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck Mhari...go for it! xxx 
Paul Crainie 14/01/2008 £10.00 £2.82 Good luck oor Mhari. Hope yer faster than yer man.  
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*Total donated online: £1,215.00
Amount raised offline: £0.00
Gift Aid plus supplement: £245.38
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