Dear all

Please spare a minute to read this and find out why I cannot wait to run the London Marathon 2010. 

After watching this year’s Marathon on TV, an urge took hold of me and I realised I wanted to do and achieve something memorable like this in my life.  OK, I admit, I also wanted to win a medal!!  I’ve never won one and what better way of achieving my medal then by taking part in such a prestigious event and making it worthwhile by raising money at the same time to help those less fortunate in life.

My whole life I have been blessed with a truly amazing family, great friends and everyone around me has been fortunate enough to be blessed with good health.  I’ve been happily married to Darren for more than 10 years now and we have three beautiful “healthy” children.   I realise every waking day that I am a very very lucky girl and that there are many, many people who haven’t been as fortunate as I and for that reason I want to give something back - something to show how appreciative I am of all that I have.  I also want my three children to learn that life can sadly sometimes be very different.  I want them to grow up knowing that it’s good to help and give to those more needy, to not shy away or even to be afraid.  

There was never a doubt in my mind that if I were to be successful in securing my place to run in the Marathon, I wanted to be running for a children’s charity and that charity would be Whizz-Kidz.  What makes it even more special is that I am running the marathon with my good friend, Tracey Ayling and Whizz-Kidz is a cause very close to Tracey’s heart.  You see, Tracey has a disabled sister and therefore knows only too well how charities like Whizz-Kidz make a difference to people’s lives. 

Here are just a couple of the many things that Whizz-Kidz provide and the costs involved.  This will give you an idea of how much money they do truly need and they need it today and every day.

£5,900 is the average cost of a powered wheelchair for a child.

£2,500 could pay for a sports wheelchair which would give a disabled child the freedom, perhaps for this first time in their life, to play sport with their friends and siblings in the local park.

The list is endless...

Now though (you all knew this bit was coming!) this is where I need all of you - my family, my friends, and anybody else I may be lucky enough to inspire on my journey.  I’d be so, so grateful if you would be able to help me raise money for Whizz-Kidz by sponsoring me – no matter how big or small.  What I ask for more though is that you do it today, donate now, and let these children benefit straight away.  In return I promise that I shall train hard and give it my all in April 2010.    

Tracey and I WILL cross the finishing line - hopefully still standing but definitely still smiling (no doubt through our tears!).  The live BBC Coverage may well have drawn to a close by that point but I’ll have my medal to prove it!!!!  

 I hope I make you all proud.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

Nicola xx

PS  Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

 

11 September 2009  - Just a little update to keep you all in the picture.  I've started training now and am actually really enjoying it.  It's really hard work but it's going to be so worth it.  I'm running 2 miles a day now and though it's getting easier it's not happening soon enough in my opinion!!!!

Koi Water Barn are holding a Charity Auction for me on Sunday and several companies have been hugely generous and donated things to go into my auction - I'm really excited.  Fingers crossed it will be a huge success and I'll raise lots for Whizz-Kidz. 

I must say the fundraising aspect for me has been amazing - everybody's generosity so far has brought me such a great sense of achievement - I feel quite humbled.

 

13 September 2009 - Well the Auction was a huge success and due to the great generosity from some of Darren's customers and those of Koi Water Barn we managed to raise a huge £631 - I was ecstatic!!  A special mention though should be made to Keith Holmes the manager at the Barn as his help was phenomenal - so thank you Keith I couldn't have raised it without you.