Raised: 104%
Target: £5,000.00
Raised so far: £5,198.02
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My story

 

Update:

********

It seems so long ago now, after the whirlwind of wedding organisation catch up that has dominated the last few weeks, but exactly a month on from Paris I wanted to take the time to say a very belated MARATHON Thank You to all of you who kindly sponsored myself and the boys!

Your contributions were so appreciated by St Richard’s Hospice who are absolutely thrilled with the massive £5198.02 raised and also by myself in particular as thoughts of this enormous backing really helped me get round.

When I decided to take on this challenge everyone thought I was joking, and no-one wished it more so than I when I hit the dreaded wall at 21 miles. We noticed that my pace had decreased to a survival shuffle and thought it best to power walk the last 5 miles (and sprint the last few hundred metres naturally...).

After 26.2 long miles Phil, Russ and I crossed the line together at 5 hours 54 minutes 51 seconds (1hour 15 faster than Jordan and Peter!!). We were greeted by Helene and Ali with a bottle of celebratory champagne and never has it tasted so good!

The legs were a little tired and the blisters had taken on a life of their own but the pain was already forgotten and the overriding feeling was one of elation to have completed it (I even vaguely enjoyed it!), to have raised such a huge amount and to have done it in honour of cause so dear to my heart.

Once again, thank you all so much for your sponsorship and words of encouragement and a special thank you also to Phil, Dad, Russ & Al, Blair & family, Sam & the Spavins and Andrew & Hariko for their support in the build up and on the day itself.

Best Wishes,
Louise


P.S. You can see some official photos at www.maindruphoto.com selecting Marathon de Paris 2009 and entering my runner number 45728

or some of the unofficial ones at;

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=239497&id=587610392&l=9335669f2c


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No you don't need to get your eyes tested! Phil, Blair, Russ, Andrew and I really are running the Paris Marathon (all 26.2 miles of it) on April 5th 2009 and for those of you who have asked;

Yes, I know you can't run in heels (Thanks for the wise words Dad) 
Yes, I have bought shares in elastoplast...and Yes i will still be running in full make up  (as will the boys I'm sure) there will be lots of photo opportunities I understand...:-)

So, why do it? Believe me, it's a question most of us have asked ourselves many times, especially on the longer training runs but one that is easy to answer.

Fundraising for St Richard's Hospice is a cause dear to my heart as my Mum, Mandy, was diagnosed with terminal cancer last summer and sadly passed away in January. During her illness, giving something back to the amazing people, including those at the hospice, who provided great support to her and our family was never far from her thoughts. So, in short, I'm running the Paris Marathon on behalf of my Mum, in celebration of her life, and to raise money for St Richards so that others can benefit from their help.

Cancer is a horrendous illness that has touched all of our lives and with this in mind, with each others' encouragement and your support, together, Phil, Blair, Russ and I will absolutely make it round, even if we (ok, everyone apart from Russ) have to crawl over the finish line!

Thank you so much once again to all those who have already donated to this great cause and also in memory of my Mum - we're almost at 80% of the fundraising target now! 

Any new donations, large or small are gratefully received. The trip is self funded and all donations will go to St Richards.

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

Thank you!

Louise

Sorry it's late. Hope you have all recovered. Donation by Kenny, Beth & Kids 22/04/09  

£10.00

Better late than never! Go Bro Beck Donation by Andrew Porteous 15/04/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Well done Rusty, you're getting to be an old hand at this marathon stuff!! Donation by Martin Holt 09/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Blair, job well done! The pain in your legs will go away. Donation by Ken Wright 07/04/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

A great cause Blair, I have been there and take my hat off to you! Well done. Donation by Russell Halil 06/04/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Hope you're not too sore this morning.Well done!! Donation by Richard Garrard 06/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck everyone- remember to tape over your nipples! Donation by Scott Allan 03/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Louise!! xx Donation by Katy & Paul 03/04/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Go for it mate - I've ordered the horse liniment!! Donation by jim 03/04/09  

£130.00 + £36.67 Gift Aid

Good luck everyone, I am sure you will enjoy it!!! Feel the burn!!!! Donation by Marc Jeffries 03/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck everyone - in 2.5 days it'll be all over! I hope you reach your target Donation by Miranda 03/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck all of you (especially Louise). Remember, its not the winning or the taking part, its the post-match p*ss-up that counts! Donation by Damien Stork 02/04/09  

£26.00 + £7.33 Gift Aid

You will be looking forward to that glass of wine at the finish Louise. Good luck! Donation by Karen Harrison 02/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck! Bonne chance! Boa sorte! Udachi! Donation by Larisa Mordovina 02/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Remember, Russ will carry you if need be..... Good Luck!! Donation by Kelly Hughes 02/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Bonne chance a tous en Paris! Donation by John Maycock 02/04/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Best of luck Lou and very proud that a former anti runner has taken on such a challenge!! Will look out for you on the winner's podium xxx Donation by Caroline Ram 02/04/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck to you All ! Donation by Andrew Pickering 02/04/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

Good work Blair. Hope Hayley's on the finish line with pack of fags and a pint for you when you're done! Donation by Simon and Angela Hannan 01/04/09  

£26.20 + £7.39 Gift Aid

Good Luck! It's only a shame that we can't all watch you on the telly and cheer you on. Donation by Kate Bryan 01/04/09  

£26.00 + £7.33 Gift Aid

Good luck people! Just think of the pub and celebrations at the end! Donation by Jo Lawson 31/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck for the Marathon. Donation by Talent Q 30/03/09  

£100.00

Good luck! Donation by Lozza and Matt Lee 30/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck to all of you!! Donation by Fahmida Afrin 30/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Best of luck to you all! It will be an amazing achievement x Donation by Jane Collins 30/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Does this 20 quid get me out there to watch? what train am I on? Donation by Martin Beck 30/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A great cause. Good luck guys! Donation by Mark Barnicoat and the team at Oasis Search 30/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Rather you lot than me, its a long way!!! Donation by Nigel Poole 30/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck to all of you - I will be thinking of you all when I complete the 8 mile Kingston Breakfast Run on the same day - another 18 miles for you! Donation by Amanda Wildman 30/03/09  

£26.00 + £7.33 Gift Aid

Good luck all of you, I know what a challenge it will be. I'll pack my pom poms to cheer you on. See you there. Donation by Alison Beck 29/03/09  

£104.80 + £29.56 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £5,198.02
  Offline donations: £0.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £1,205.49

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