Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As some of you will already be aware I have decided to run the 2010 London Marathon. It will be the first and only time I will be running the marathon, so I promise it will also be the only time I ask you lovely people for sponsorship!

My chosen charity is SportsAid which supports young, talented sportsmen and women who are in genuine need of financial support. On average an emerging athlete will spend £4,500 every year in order to continue to compete in elite level competitions. £1,000 pays for an annual SportsAid grant to an athlete, with previous recipients including Sir Steve Redgrave, Paula Radcliffe, Dame Tanni Grey-Thomson, Dame Kelly Holmes and Sharron Davies.

Among other things SportsAid grant money helps to:

- Ease the burden on the athlete's parents of paying for travel expenses, accommodation, competition fees and equipment.

- Give athletes the first external form of recognition for their ability and potential.

- Support athletes in your local community.

Having downloaded my training plan, I will apparently be running approximately 565 miles in the 16 weeks from 4th January to 24th April, with race day on Sunday 25th April (yes that is a hint - please feel free to come and support me!). Hopefully you'll agree that is worth a contribution towards my £1,500 target for SportsAid, even if you'll have to put up with 16 weeks of me moaning about how much I hate running :o)

 

Louise

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