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 7 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
