Hello everyone  

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

By now you will know that I am taking part in my 3rd London Marathon - however, this time I am raising money for a cause which is close to my heart.

Many of you reading this message will have known Jan, my beloved wife, she is my reason and inspiration.

I feel very privileged to have been chosen to run on behalf of The Rowans Hospice, which I will do in honour of Jan.

The Rowans Hospice provided us all with continuous and immeasurable support during some incredibly difficult times.  Anything that I, or my family, raise can only ever be small token of thanks.   The Hospice relies almost entirely on donations and only receives a meagre grant from government for the amazing work they do.

Jan's poetry book is also available online with its own ISBN and all proceeds from its sale will also be donated to The Rowans Hospice.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Rowans Hospice gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

I will be updating this page regularly to keep you informed of my 'training' progress.

03.01.09 - so far I have run on 2 occasions - both 2 1/2 miles in a time of 28 and 26 minutes - already improving!

05.01.09 - 6 miles today in 1 hour - felt pretty exhausted but a great sense of achievement - I am still alive and kicking - even managed to watch the whole of 'Australia' at the cinema without falling asleep!  A recommended film. 

08.01.09 - Did 5miles tonite...very cold.

09.01.09 - 0 miles tonite ...very cold and worked late. But running 6+ miles with George Huntley on Sunday.

10.01.09_ v.cold again but did 7+ miles today. My darling grand daughter donated £20.00 today...thanks sweetie.

13.01.09_still cold...spoke with The News today they are planning a piece next week. Will do 3 miles tonite plus my daily 5 miles on rower.

20.01.09 - i've been away for a few days, so not enough training!  Am famous though - pic taken to go in The News (Portsmouth) - fantastic donations now online - thank you so much

22.01.09-Finally back training, did 5 miles tonite ...horrid weather but did it in 52mins. Donations from people I havent seen for many years..thank you so much.

23.01.09-Glenn..long time no speak..thank you so much.

24.01.09-back with the training...still doing 5,000m on the rower most days and as much running as possible. need to do a couple of 10 milers soon.

9.2.09-Not making great progress at the moment but going to Physio tomorrow need some work on badly bruised calf muscle. Will be back on target by weekend no worries. Thanks to all for continued support.

14.2.09-Physio working wonders...George and I will be back running tomorrow..thank goodness. Recommended the Physio for a job in Abu Graid!!

15.2.09-Had a good run today managed 10kms, which after lay off was ok. Physio Wendy Rofe is fantastic!!

Unfortunately i am heading North for 6 days so little training.

24.02.09-Back South....will do 5 miles tonite then back to longer distances during weekend. My total is climbing very quickly for which I am very grateful... Rowans will also be grateful. I am confident that I will exceed my target.

25.02.09-Only managed 2 miles tonite but will be increasing every other day now. Physio has worked wonders with my leg!!! If you need a physio go to Wendy Rofe at Sports Injury Centre Mountbatten Centre Portsmouth....Fantastic!!

26.02.09-Increased mileage today  up to 5 miles again. More donations today likely to make it £2000.00 by next week...fantastic...thank you all so much.

26.02.09-Today I had phone call from Elaine & David Poole who live in Thailand and have been friends for many years. Elaine has appointed herself Donation Organiser Thailand and already today I have had donations from the Land of Smiles, people are so generous for this great cause...The Rowans.

28.02.09-I am also back with my concept rower...doing 5,000 m most days. Many thanks indeed to the Thailand office, most unexpected support!!

1.03.09-Managed 9.5 miles today but had to walk a short distance at 7 miles. Not feeling great but need to increase distances every week.

2.03.09-Had donation from Sally at Injury Centre...stranger to me but has great admiration for Rowans and thier work.

3.03.09-Donation from Suki Nabbaro a very talented artist..I have some of her ethnic work. Google her and see her work.

7.03.09-Very generous donation from kelly's In Laws Hilary and Ian...thank you very much. Training not as far ahead as hoped but still rowing and visiting physio....also known as Wendy the Wicked!!

9.3.09-The Support Organiser in Thailand may be moving office to Spain in the near future....thank you again for all the support raised from so far away.

11.3.09-still visiting the physio but doing as much as I can without spoiling the work she is doing on my leg!! My grandson Adam has pushed my total over halfway...thank you very much..love you lots!

13.03.09-Physio very happy with my progress...back to long run tomorrow. Will be able to catch up with training now....need to work hard for the next few weeks.

15.03.09-trying to increase pace now for the next few weeks then back to longer distances. managed my quickest 2.5 miles tonite.....25 minutes...could not do that for 26 miles but at least I can start quick!!!

16.03.09-Another quick 2.5 miles. I shall bring forward the distance work now to catch up on the missed training. Getting lots of support from the powerboat racers both old and new, thanks.

18.03.09-Had day off went to Bournemouth for visit with D&J..great night.

19.03.09-Back to the grind....did 3 miles in 30 minutes..knackered!! Physio in morning!! Planning 8 miles on Sunday.

03.04.09-Back from Spain...did no running but managed to do some long walks....grandchildren took precedence I am afraid!!

03.04.09-had additional cheques from Gill Attwell,Pat Ingram,Julia Goodwillie and Yvonne Harwood friends of Jans from Milton. Plus cheque from niece Julie and family. 5 miler tonite!

04.04.09-Only managed 2.5miles tonite...after UKOBA meeting at Emsworth Sailing Club...but had donations from Grant Harrison and Viv Williams...old powerboating friends..thanks! Plus donation from neighbours at Queensway..Roger and Jenny.

06.04.09-The donations are still rolling in...anyone who donates on line will receive a message that I have put on line. Short run tonite...still having trouble with my torn calf muscle.....it has been suggested that I make it up just to see Wendy,Lesley and Sarah at physio...not true honestly!!

08.04.09-Back at ABU GRAID this morning...Craig, another injured marathon man (very young and probably a 3 hour man!!) told Wendy about this diary...now I am in trouble! Decent run tonite 3 miles in 31 mins..still too fast really, I will never last for 26+ miles at that rate. Off up North to see friends this weekend but hope to get couple of runs in whilst in Wallasey and Charlesworth.

09.04.09-5 miles and ok.

11.04.09-Arrived up north last night...with my dear sister. She had some magic cream that i applied to my leg last night and again this morning. Must be magic i did 8.1 miles with no pain!!!! I ran along the promenade at New Brighton..the scene of my very first maritime adventure, more of that later!! But the work that Wendy,Lesley and Sarah have done at "abu graid" is fantastic and sister Monica has completed the treatment.

12.04.9-Long walk in Charlesworth, Peak District..Great support from Chris, Rachel and Coleen, they have been a constant source of positivity in recent months..............

13.04.09-Great weekend up north!!! Awful journey back..road works. Did 9 miles tonite and felt ok..thanks to Monica and her magic gel!

14.04.09-Physio...Wendy and her crew worked some more on calf..feeling better all the time. advised no run tonite. Must tell you about my first adventure tomorrow.more donations...this time from Cougar at Warsash, thanks guys.

15.04.09-My longest run without a walk tonite....did 10miles, really pleased but tired!! My first maritime adventure was with my sister Monica. I was 6 she was 8 and we found a tree trunk on the beach at Egremont ( on the Wirral peninsula for anyone who does not know). We pushed it into the Mersey and went to sea....I was probably driving!! We were finally rescued at Harrison Drive some miles towards the Irish Sea. Our main worry was that we had new sandals on for Easter and Mother would not be very pleased.....she wasnt!!  So this is close to anniversary time....65 years later we are both still here. Had lots more donations today..I will write to all the people who sent money. On line donations are replied to via Just Giving. Physio tomorrow and no run. Not long now, I am scared!!!!!!

16.04.09-My daughter Karen placed an article in the local paper "The Haylingislander" and I have had more donation locally thanks to the Barrett Family.I managed a 5miler tonite...felt ok.

17.04.09-Today its raining....told George and he said "so what"!!! I guess I will run in the rain then!! Cannot believe but I started running...it stopped raining so I just carried on...did 9 miles...very pleased only have to do that 3 times!!!!

18.04.09-No running today..went to charity do for Cystic Fibrosis with Gerge....bought Theo  style cross to go with the one we already have...one ach for the girls I guess!!

19.04.09-George was as good as his word and took me on a 12mile run....told me I looked old and worn out....CORRECT in one! ut did it without too much stpping..in fact only had couple of stops durin last mile. 26 and a bit miles still seems a LONG way!! This time next week it will all be over.

20.04.09-No running tonite....George says start to ease off.....hurray!!!!Physio tomorrow and maybe a short run tomorrow nite. Tonite I had a Thai meal at the new restaurant on Hayling..very nice. Donation today from Kirsty Wheeler..Brians daughter..we worked together at Cougar in the early days of the Honda Fleet..good times.

21.04.09-No run tonite much too hot!!! Barbie at George's but he reckons we should do one more run before sunday. went to the physio this morning and my calf is now terrific with no pain...is it Wendy and the crew at Sports Injury Centre or is it Monica's magic gel? Whatever it is it has worked just in time. More support from Kelly crowd...probably a party after the run at her house!!

22.04.09-getting quite nervous now....almost reached the £4000.00..hope to clear that then finish in under 7 hours..will feel i have managed my original goals. Did short 2 mile run tonite.

23.04.09-George collected my number and kit for me..thanks George. My number is 33411 in the RED start and my finishing zone is 9. Hope the weather is cooler, I went for my last training run tonite just 2 miles but it was so hot!!

Had last physio before the run and Craig was having his last bit of punishment!

The team at Sports Injury Centre Wendy,Lesley,Sarah and Vasi etc gave us both lovely cards and a fantastic donation...very generous. I have just got to deliver now!!

I have booked a massage on Monday 27th at * am.......going to need it for sure!

24.04.09-Boltons Builders donated...thanks.

Another £100.00 from Adrian & Debbie at Williams Coachworks...fantastic, very close to pledge!!

25.04.09-No running tonite.......passed my target and still donations cming in.Might make the target up to £5000.00!!!!! Just got to reach my time target of 7 hours now.

Thanks to everyone for the magnificent support for such a worthwhile cause...THE ROWANS.

27.04.09-Early morning before I go to Sports Injury Centre and see Wendy and the Team to thank them for both thier generosity and the fantastic help they gave me...without them, My Family, George Huntley and the many donations I would not have had the physical capability nor the determination to complete the marathon. My targets were £4000.00 and 7 hours...I exceeded both...THANK YOU ONE AND ALL. By the way my was 5 hours 27 minutes...respectable for someone of my advanced years!. I will be leaving this site open for some days as I have more pledges....expect to reach £5000.00 for The Rowans...hooray!!!

2.05.09-More donations coming in...great news for Rowans.

14.05.09-Although I have finished the London Marathon I am continuing to update donations page. I belong to Hayling Island Businessmens Club, a registered charity to support needy causes on Hayling Island. One of our members Nick Iacobucci won £50.00 in our 200 club draw. He very kindly donated the cheque to my Rowans fund. Thank you Nick.

17.05.09-And still the donations arrive...on the way to £5000.00. May try again next year!!!!!

With Love and thanks

Alan (and family)