The charity:

My Father, Bernard was born in 1920 and last week he would have been 100 years old, hence my fundraising target (my cover photo is us 60 years ago!). The day he died he was busy preparing the “music round” for his regular fundraising quiz in aid of Sandpiper’s, a Revitalise respite holiday home, in Southport where I grew up. Please help me (and Bernard) support this wonderful and vital facility.

Respite is a national charity, providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers for over 50 years. It is the largest provider of this service in the UK, offering around 4,500 holiday breaks each year at our centres in Southport, Southampton and Chigwell. Catering for over 150 different disabilities with proper nurse-led equipment and care, combined with the personal and social support of volunteers in a relaxed environment, and a programme of imaginative excursions and activities. A respite break that feels like a proper holiday!

The Virtual Great North Run

This was not, as some sceptics have suggested, some kind of video game! It was a real-time recreation in an App of sounds of the Great North Run: GPS measuring the distance covered, with Brendan Foster wishing us luck on the start line and encouraging messages every mile from the likes of Tanii Grey-Thompson, Steve Cram, Paula Radcliffe and Ant’n’Dec. The Red Arrows could even be heard as I went virtually over the iconic Tyne Bridge. Having signed up for the challenge and for the T-shirt I somehow forgot to prepare for the run so I didn’t want to start fundraising in advance in case I failed to complete it. So, on Sunday 13th September, with no little trepidation, I donned my headphones, fired up the special Virtual Great North Run App, son Jamie ready to set off with me and Simon manning the water station, the starter horn went and we were OFF!

For my half marathon course I ran round and round London’s St James’s Park  and finally (gratefully!) despite ever-increasing lap times crossed my personal virtual finish line on the actual Mall. It was tough but a great feeling when it was over!

All donations, however small, will be very gratefully forwarded to Revitalise Sandpiper’s to continue their brilliant work.

Thank you for supporting me , Bernard and Sandpipers Respite Holidays.

THANKS to all who have donated so far. Very Cheeky Anonymous people, that means you too!