The Luke Bitmead Bursary, runs in conjunction with Legend Press in support of authors who are trying to get a foot in the door of the publishing world.  This is how I came across them last year when I entered the competition.  I was very fortunate in being one of the ten shortlisted authors for the ultimate prize, and it was at the award ceremony where I met these wonderful people.

Elaine Hanson, mother of Luke gave a very heartfelt speech which pulled on the chords of my own experience and emotions.  She mentioned that they had a few months of mild panic in thinking that they weren't going to be able to raise the money needed for the 2014 event.  Elaine joked that they thought they might have to run a marathon or something.  That's  when Jim piped up. 'I'll run a marathon for you.'

So here we are.  We are both signed up to run 50 miles across the lake district. North to South.  Over mountains, down dales, through towns and traversing lakes and I'm thinking; 'I must be mad.  50miles!'

Then I remember Elaine's talk, the emotion, the affinity I felt with this family and the desperate desire, to not only be part of this family, but to contribute to what they stand for.

My aim, our aim, is to raise as much as we can for this underrated memorial fund and in doing so hopefully keep the bursary going for a while longer.  The Luke Bitmead Bursary opened my eyes, inspired me and gave me hope.  My wish is for everyone to experience this feeling, not just aspiring authors.

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