Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

The Charity: MediCinema builds, installs and runs state-of-the-art cinemas in hospitals and places of care, giving patients and their families the magic and joy of a night at the movies together.... 

Thanks to the support of the film industry, they show current releases so patients don’t have to miss out on seeing the latest blockbusters just because they are in hospital. Many patients comment that this helps break the ice with friends when they visit, as it gives them something other than their condition to talk about.

Their cinemas are as much built for a healthcare setting as they are to give a fully immersive cinema experience. No-matter if a patient is in a wheelchair, attached to a drip or even unable to leave their bed, they are able to welcome them, and to ensure their safety throughout the film, they hire two NHS nurses for every screening. Thanks to the support of donors, the screenings are completely free for all patients and their families.

The Marathon: I have supported this charity for a number of years now and have been waiting for the opportunity to do something really BIG! Well... it doesn't come much bigger than the London marathon... so thats whats happening. I have just received the all clear that I won't need surgery on my knees and the first thing I did was secure my place in London 2021! 

I'm expecting it to be tough... I don't want to just finish the marathon, my goal is to absolutely smash it!! I've only ever run that distance once before in 5hours 2minutes... 

My aim is finish this marathon in under 4 hours!!! As my training progresses I'll get a better idea as to what I feel capable of physically... I still need to undergo physio on my knees but everything is looking positive time frame wise to be able to put the the right training plan together. 

Why?: I'll share as much information with you about the charity on my social media pages so that you can see for yourself the great work they do, but I'll try to explain briefly why the charity resonated with me so much when I first found out about them.... 

I have always found movies (at the cinema in particular) to be an escape.... an escape from anxiety, stress, worry, overthinking.... a distraction from daily struggles both physical and mental, a place to go and be free, even for just a short while... free from everything as you immerse yourself in another world... 

Now imagine how valuable those moments are for children in long term care, struggling to cope serious medical conditions... the opportunity to escape, the chance for them to smile, to laugh out loud, a chance for the whole family to share an experience away from the hospital ward they've spent day after day.... I know that those moments will mean the absolute world to those who need them most! 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.