About Rachael and why I Chose the Born Free Foundation

Rachael was tragically taken from us on June 3rd 2008 at the young age of 22. She was an amazing person who could never fail to bring a smile to the face of whoever had the pleasure of meeting her. Her infectious laugh, gorgeous red hair and crazy personality are desperately missed by myself, her family and all who knew her. She was a highly intelligent girl with aspirations of a legal career and was well on her way to this with a 1st in her Law degree. Rach was also very creative and often made her own videos from movie clips and music for me, her friends or her family, which she had a great talent for doing - for this reason i have included on my page a link to a quite fitting video she edited as a homage to her favourite film - surprise surprise - The Lion King! So why not have a look - its just there on the left! (Her other videos are also on youtube)

Now for those of you who did not know Rachael so well you may be wondering why I have chosen the Born Free Foundation - Well Rach was obsessed with lions, her car was covered in lion teddys, her bunch of keys too, her laptop background was lions and her bedrooms were filled with yet more lions. Rachael loved to go and see them at Zoos, watch them on tv (cartoons or wildlife footage!) and talk about them. As a result Rachael's family raised money at her funeral for The Born Free Foundation and particularly the Big Cat Sanctuary - we know that Rach will be so pleased and proud that out of something so tragic and sad, she could bring some happiness to lions at least. So your donations will be sent to the Born Free Foundation to help the Big Cat Sanctuary look after lions and other big cats and make Rach smile as she looks on down at the work that your money will allow them to do with her beloved lions.

The best information on the Big Cat Sanctuary is on the website located at http://www.bornfree.org.uk/animals/lions/projects/big-cat-rescue-centres/ and http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/big-cats/big-cat-rescue/

(have a look at the Jean Byrd and Julie Ward centres and the Shamwari Diary in the left column).

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Born Free 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 at no extra cost to you.

Please do not feel that if you did not know Rachael personally you should not donate - I have never run a marathon before and need all the support and encouragement of my friends, colleagues and family to get me to the finish line! The money I raise also goes to a great cause that needs continued donations to help sustain the good work they do.

I thank you for your donation and demonstration not only of your support for me in my running but in honour of such a special girl loved by all - Rachael Webber, my soul mate, best friend and love of my life - she will be eternally cherished in our hearts.

My flatmate and good friend Matthew Tickner aka 'Welsh Matt' has also decided to run for Rachael. All his sponsors have been directed to this page as well. Below is a message from Matt for all his friends and family that are sponsoring him. Over to Matt;

Sooooo, I have decided to run the Cardiff half marathon with Tyron. Not
to hold his hand, or to carry his water, or indeed provide any
motivation to finish the course; that motivation comes from the memory
of Rach.
 
Rach brought a happiness to everyone's life, most visibly Tyron's. I
never saw a couple so happy and content in each others company. She was
always such a fun person to be around, with her strange sense of humour
and crazy quirks and her general enthusiasm for life. Her life was
tragically ended too soon and so we are running the marathon to honour
her memory.
 
Rachael and I always spoke about lions and their endangerment and one of
the last things she ever said to me was to do my best to make sure that
the lions that she loved so much are saved. I think that by running the
marathon for the Born Free Cat Sanctuary, this is one of the best ways I
can try and make sure that I am doing everything I can to honour that
promise to Rachael.