Thanks for visiting my fundraising page!  If you are reading this you will already know that on 26th April 2009 I will be be running the Flora London Marathon in memory of my dad, Aiden.  Those people who know me, or knew him, probably only know part of the story...

My dad actually battled two types of cancer in his lifetime, lymphoma in his early twenties (which he managed to successfully beat) and stomach cancer in his thirties.  The second cancer was very aggressive and spread quickly due to his young age and he died in 1986, one year after diagnosis, aged 35.  

In addition to running in his memory I would like to raise some money for charity and like most people I have chosen to to support a cause that has touched my life personally.  I have chosen the Lymphoma Association as I feel people are more likely to have heard of stomach cancer and I might be able to do more by raising awareness of lymphoma.  Out of the thousands of people who will be pounding the streets on 26th April I will be one of only about 30 runners running for the Lymphoma Association, but I'm told my vest will be very vivid, so you might even be able to spot me on the telly! 

So the hard part for me now is the training!  You have the easy part...donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Lymphoma Association 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.

To help me get to the finish line I've also created a blog to keep track of my training and to motivate me.  Hopefully you might have a look to see how I'm doing and offer words of support?!  I hope it will encourage you to give generously, as I plan to give the FLM everything I've got, both before and during the event!!  (I'll do a fairly good job of celebrating too!)

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for all your support!

POST MARATHON UPDATE:

Official finishing time - 4:22:15

Thanks to a fantastic team of supporters who came down to London on the day to cheer me on: Mum, Trish, Claire T, Judy, Sair, Joel, Linds, Ioan, Kate, Crawford, Clare B, Shona, Sarah B, James, Lou, Alex, Lach, Scott, Maz, Matt and Tracey...clearly it made all the difference!!!  You have no idea how much it meant to me to have you there to share the moment and help me through the darker stages!  You are all stars for braving the crowds and the tube in the heat and a particular shout out to my amazing mum, for whom it must have felt like a mini-marathon on her injured leg!  Big love and hugs to you all!

Thank you also to the following people who have donated off-line: Dave Payne, Hannah and Dave Hookes, Pam and Mike Coleman, Paula Fitzmaurice, Lesley Cleaver, Gary Farmer, Jon Holmes, Natalie Walker, Louise Proctor, Sarah Lardner and Gina Rowe.  Really appreciate your donations and best wishes!  Thank you!

FINALLY A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!!  Your kind messages (and sarcasm!) really helped to spur me on and at times moved me to tears.  You have helped me to raise over £2500 for the Lymphoma Association which is absolutely amazing!  Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would raise this much!  Well done to you all for helping me to raise the largest amount by a single runner for them this year!  Lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in the UK and you have all really made a difference to the lives of people affected by it, you should be really proud!  GREAT WORK TEAM!!!