Raised: 394%
Target: £1,500.00
Raised so far: £5,912.10
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My story

 

Hello!

I’m delighted to be running for COCO in the London Marathon.  Let me tell you a little about how I came to run the Marathon and what the money raised will go towards.  I hope you’ll agree it’s a great cause.  Please donate whatever you can – all your support is much appreciated.  I’m just so thrilled to have a fundraising mission and it’s really keeping me going with the training.  A big thank you.

The London Marathon and Why I’m running it

As marathons go, to me the London Marathon is the big one and something I’ve been aspiring to do for a number of years.  It’s in our capital city, has a high profile and friends tell me that running through the streets with the support of the crowds is an experience never to be forgotten. 

I love to run.  In 2008 I couldn’t run for a while due to a few injuries.  I hope this is mostly behind me now and I’m training as carefully as I can to make sure I’m ready for the big day.

As the London marathon website says, ‘As a fundraising event there is no marathon in the world that comes close the Flora London Marathon.  Since 1981 it is estimated that over £200 million has been raised for charities world-wide with 76% of competitors running for a cause close to their hearts.’  How fantastic to be a part of this. 

‘One third of the total amount of places offered to runners of the marathon come from charities who are awarded guaranteed places or Golden Bonds’ – Just like me and COCO.  I feel really lucky and privileged to be running for COCO.

COCO is a registered children's charity working on closely monitored education and healthcare initiatives that make a big difference to the lives of children living in poverty throughout the developing world (www.coco.org.uk).  Founded by former Olympic athlete Steve Cram in 2000, COCO has since raised over £1.3 Million, helping to fund children's projects in developing countries, primarily in Africa (Liberia, Malawi, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania) and also in Thailand, Bosnia, Peru and Romania.

COCO has identified a number of targeted projects to support.  The money I raise will go to a South African based project.  I’m thrilled about this because it was on a visit to in November 2008 that I felt sure I wanted to take up the Marathon challenge, and saw the real need for charitable work being undertaken there.

Funds raised will be going to iThemba Lethu in South Africa.  iThemba Lethu (‘I have a destiny’) focuses on supporting vulnerable babies orphaned by HIV through their Family Intervention Programmes as well as helping adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS through HIV Prevention Programmes.

Reasons to give

-          26.2 miles is an awfully long way

-          Tough Training Conditions – training over the winter when conditions are often wet and cold and daylight hours short, will require perseverance!

-          It’s a fantastic cause – There are so many charities to give to and resources are scarce, particularly right now.  Your money will really make a difference and COCO has some fantastic projects that I believe are worthy causes

How to support my fundraising

-          Donate online – it’s quick, simple and tax efficient

-          Come along to ‘The Glo-Ball’ on Saturday 7th March 2009 at the Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton – A spectacular Black Tie Event with four course meal, superb live music from the Menwith Hill Gospel Choir, charity auction and dancing.  Tickets on sale individually and for groups (Tables of 8, 10 or 12).  Please contact Rachael directly for tickets, priced at £35 per person, payment by cash or cheque.  Tel: 07921 492874, E-mail: r.a.howard.99@cantab.net

-          Donate a prize – Large or small, please donate a prize to be auctioned at The Glo-Ball. 

Thank you so much for your generosity and support. 

Rachael Howard

Well done Rachael, fantastic time!!! Donation by Nicola Banks 06/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

I'm sure mum will be chasing your success - if only she could use justgiving herself!!! Donation by Mum and Dad Ormrod 03/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Congrats Rach!! Donation by Ali and Andrew 03/05/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Donation by Helen 29/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done Rachael! Donation by Neil Jewell 27/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Go Rachael! Sorry we can't be there to watch on Sunday, but we'll be thinking of you x Donation by Clare, Martin and Isabel 24/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck Superstar Rachy Baby!!!! Donation by Jacko 21/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

All the best! I hope the run is fun as well as hard work. Very worthy cause xx Donation by Pete 18/04/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

Best of luck with the run! Hope you have a fab time ;-) Donation by Rob B 12/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

well done on all your hard work so far. Look forward to hearing how it all goes. Donation by Fiona McGill 04/04/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done on raising so much - sorry we couldn't make the ball. All the best for the day - you'll be great! S xx Donation by Sunny & Martin 01/04/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

All the best for the big run! Hope you're able to enjoy it and that it's not too painful! Donation by Rob & Abi 28/03/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

you're amazing mate!! Well done on all your hard work with the training, fund raising and the Glo Ball. Best of luck for the big day x Donation by Suzanne Asher 27/03/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Terribly sorry that my dodgy feet, ankles, knees, hips, back, neck, shoulders, lungs and heart prevent me participating this year!!!!!! Good luck. R Donation by Richard L 21/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Have fun at the marathon Donation by Clair Wilson 17/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Rachel, congrats on your brilliant efforts so far! I hope the marathon goes equally well. Enjoy! Donation by Keith Richards 13/03/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Wish I was doing it with you! Good Luck Donation by Rachel Whiteley 11/03/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

good luck rach. will be waving when you go past the wharf Donation by becky w 10/03/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

All the best Rachael - you can do it! Donation by Karen Weaving 10/03/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Donation by donations 09/03/09  

£70.00

Good luck Donation by Tony Downham 09/03/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Donation by donation 02/03/09  

£10.00

Good Luck Rachael, Great cause. Donation by Michael Jack 27/02/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck Rachael, rather you than me!! Hope you make your fundraising target x Donation by Helen Hobson 24/02/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck with all the training, love Simon, Catherine and Isabella Donation by Catherine Wormald 23/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by donation 20/02/09  

£50.00

Best of luck!! Hope the preparation is going well. Sorry we can't make your ball - looks fab though xx Donation by Sophie Prendergast 10/02/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by donation 09/02/09  

£20.00

Donation by donations 03/02/09  

£80.00

Dear Rachael, Sorry we aren't able to make the fundraising ball. All the very best of luck for April! Best wishes, Robin and Jane Donation by Robin and Jane Askew 02/02/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,065.00
  Offline donations: £4,847.10
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £153.72

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