<p><span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong>WE DID IT!!!</strong></span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Thank you all so much for your kindness, helping us to SMASH our target of &pound;1000 by 40%! I am sure the Royal Air Forces Association will be eternally grateful for your generosity, i know we are!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">I started my RAF promotion course a week after the Rome Marathon and guess what? My hamstring has torn again!!! The overwhelming sense of disappointment has been eased however, by the fact that we completed the Marathon! So, what's next?</span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">I think probably several months of physio is on the cards, but we'll wait and see after that! My dad 'Doug' already has his next challenge lined up, i will be creating his Just Giving page in the next 24 hours. He is off to run with Lions!!!!! Yes, you read that correctly! He will be taking part in the Big 5 Half Marathon, taking place in South Africa on 23rd June 2012. For more info on the race visit</span> <a href="http://www.big-five-marathon.com/">http://www.big-five-marathon.com/</a> <span style="color: #0000ff;">Once again, my dad has chosen to raise money RAFA, which he fully agrees is a superb cause!</span></p> <p><span style="color: #0000ff;">Thank you all again for your support and sponsorship, we really could not have done it without you! :-)</span></p> <p>Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.</p> <p>On the 18th March 2012, three of us will be participating in the Maratona di Roma (Rome Marathon). Myself, Tonto and Kev are all 'first timers' when it comes to running Marathons, but we are more than happy to take on this challenge! ***UPDATE BELOW***</p> <p>The official website for this event is at - <a href="http://www.maratonadiroma.it/default.aspx">http://www.maratonadiroma.it/default.aspx</a></p> <p>As Gunners in the RAF Regiment, we are only too aware of the impact that military life can have on serving, ex-serving personnel and their families. This is the reason we have chosen to support this outstanding cause for our event. It is only right that we give something back to the RAFA Wings Appeal as they are there to support us and any one of us could require their services in the future.</p> <p>The RAF Association does not receive any direct Government funding and therefore relies on the generosity of the public and the continued support from its members, donors and the Branch network in generating funds to provide the level of welfare and care that is so rightly deserved by the RAF Family and their dependants in need.</p> <p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving &ndash; they&rsquo;ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they&rsquo;ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it&rsquo;s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p> <p>Please spare a few moments (and whatever you can afford) to give the RAF family of the past, present and future the support they truly deserve. PER ARDUA.</p> <p>***UPDATE 1*** Unfortunately, Tonto will probably be unable to join us in Rome. He will be carrying out preparation for deployment with his new RAF Regt Sqn, but he also has a plan! He intends to run a Marathon at the same time as us, on the same day in.....................Scotland! Far too hilly for me!</p> <p>***UPDATE 2*** My dad, Doug Richards, will be running with us in Rome! My dad has been a keen runner for many years and has taken part in some pretty 'crazy' races! See - <a href="http://www.dougrichards.co.uk">www.dougrichards.co.uk</a> Having recently retired at the age of 63 (and vowed never to do another marathon), i have convinced him that his last marathon, should be my first!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>