Shane O Flynn
Shane's Couch to Marathon
Fundraising for Terrence Higgins Trust
Story
Thank you for visiting my page it genuinely means a lot that you have taken the time.
As for us all, 2020 was not meant to be like this. I am celebrating a round birthday this year so had a few treats planned to ring in another decade; that bucket list of things that I wished to cross off before forty loomed on the horizon. And running the London Marathon was up there (alongside going to the Eurovision).
Last September, when laying on the couch, after finishing another series and box of chocolates in one evening, I knew I needed to change things up. I had piled on the pounds, become lethargic and it was heading into winter. As luck would have it, I was offered a place by Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) on their London 2020 Marathon Fundraising Team. Literally, I was being offered an opportunity to go from couch to 42kms. The decision was instantaneous, you know I love a challenge! The next day the runners were bought, the intentions were set and thank goodness for blissful ignorance.
Two months later when I finally put the runners on, setting alarms for 05.00 in dank, dark, and wet mornings was not fun. Grateful that only lasted a week or two. In fact, if I were not running this for THT I am not sure I would have been able to get out 3-4 times a week during those miserable months. While running a marathon has become ubiquitous, I was not really prepared for the hard work: being out of action for several months with injuries, keeping the motivation up and to keep going even when bed feels like it has never been so comfy.
Why am I doing this? I often asked myself the same question if I am being truthful. You see, for me the difference between intention and following through on this pipe dream was, and is, the belief in and gratitude for THT. Trust me when I say, if it was not for recalling what the THT has done for me, I’d have pulled the duvet over my head and fallen back to sleep after Day 10.
I am politely asking you to dig deep and support a charity that lobbies,
campaigns, educates, and provides services for people living with HIV. In fact, THT does so much more terms of testing, screening, research, and health promotion. They do a much better job than I ever could at summarising their amazing work, so please visit their website there: www.tht.org.uk.
Terrence Higgins Trust was the first port of call shortly after I was diagnosed HIV positive back in early 2012. Without this charity, I am not sure where I would be to be honest. And I am only one person, thousands of people every year utilise their services. One example is THT’s Helpline for those who have questions about HIV; the person who thinks they may have come into connect with it; folks with questions about healthcare or those who just need to chat in confidence and anonymity.
When I was in the depths of shame and fear, confused about what happened next, I was only shown love and compassion by its volunteers and staff. For this I am forever in their gratitude. Over the years I have been able to give back some of that love and support and volunteered myself the charity as part of Positive Voices. This is funded by THT and essentially talking to schools, universities, businesses, corporations etc. humanising the disease and breaking down stigma and discrimination. For sure it has been the most rewarding thing I have done in life.
Though this is only possible with your donations. There are very many worthy causes and I hope you consider this charity worthy of your money. Thank you for reading, please remember to be kind x.
Love, Shane.
As for us all, 2020 was not meant to be like this. I am celebrating a round birthday this year so had a few treats planned to ring in another decade; that bucket list of things that I wished to cross off before forty loomed on the horizon. And running the London Marathon was up there (alongside going to the Eurovision).
Last September, when laying on the couch, after finishing another series and box of chocolates in one evening, I knew I needed to change things up. I had piled on the pounds, become lethargic and it was heading into winter. As luck would have it, I was offered a place by Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) on their London 2020 Marathon Fundraising Team. Literally, I was being offered an opportunity to go from couch to 42kms. The decision was instantaneous, you know I love a challenge! The next day the runners were bought, the intentions were set and thank goodness for blissful ignorance.
Two months later when I finally put the runners on, setting alarms for 05.00 in dank, dark, and wet mornings was not fun. Grateful that only lasted a week or two. In fact, if I were not running this for THT I am not sure I would have been able to get out 3-4 times a week during those miserable months. While running a marathon has become ubiquitous, I was not really prepared for the hard work: being out of action for several months with injuries, keeping the motivation up and to keep going even when bed feels like it has never been so comfy.
Why am I doing this? I often asked myself the same question if I am being truthful. You see, for me the difference between intention and following through on this pipe dream was, and is, the belief in and gratitude for THT. Trust me when I say, if it was not for recalling what the THT has done for me, I’d have pulled the duvet over my head and fallen back to sleep after Day 10.
I am politely asking you to dig deep and support a charity that lobbies,
campaigns, educates, and provides services for people living with HIV. In fact, THT does so much more terms of testing, screening, research, and health promotion. They do a much better job than I ever could at summarising their amazing work, so please visit their website there: www.tht.org.uk.
Terrence Higgins Trust was the first port of call shortly after I was diagnosed HIV positive back in early 2012. Without this charity, I am not sure where I would be to be honest. And I am only one person, thousands of people every year utilise their services. One example is THT’s Helpline for those who have questions about HIV; the person who thinks they may have come into connect with it; folks with questions about healthcare or those who just need to chat in confidence and anonymity.
When I was in the depths of shame and fear, confused about what happened next, I was only shown love and compassion by its volunteers and staff. For this I am forever in their gratitude. Over the years I have been able to give back some of that love and support and volunteered myself the charity as part of Positive Voices. This is funded by THT and essentially talking to schools, universities, businesses, corporations etc. humanising the disease and breaking down stigma and discrimination. For sure it has been the most rewarding thing I have done in life.
Though this is only possible with your donations. There are very many worthy causes and I hope you consider this charity worthy of your money. Thank you for reading, please remember to be kind x.
Love, Shane.