On 2nd November 2008 I will be taking part in the New York City Marathon.

With the support of the COINS foundation I am running to raise funds for Great Ormond Street childrens hospital in London, where my daughter Laura is being treated for scoliosis and St Christophers School in Bristol, where my son Sean, who is severely autistic, lives and is cared for and educated.

Times are tough and I'm acutely aware that it's not a great moment to be asking for charitable donations but I will be very grateful for any sponsorship or donation that you can make. The New York marathon is run over a tough, undulating course and I have set myself a task that hopefully you will agree is a demanding challenge.

Please note that I am funding the cost of the journey to New York myself, the trip is not being subsidised by your donations.

St Christophers School

St Christopher's is a residential School for children and young people aged 5 to 19 who have severe and complex learning difficulties, Autism or profound and multiple learning difficulties. They all have very special requirements for their care and education.

http://www.st-christophers.bristol.sch.uk/

GOSH

Great Ormond Street Hospital offers the widest range of paediatric services under one roof in Britain, and pioneers new treatments and drugs through its research body, the UCL Institute of Child Health (ICH). It treats over 150,000 patients each year for the rarest and most complex conditions.

http://www.gosh.org/

If you would like to know more about these charities or anything else please send me an email or give me a call.

richard@thevales.com +447973675523

Thank you for your support.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The COINS 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.

So please sponsor me now!