Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.  In 2005 I ran the Fleet half marathon and it damned near killed me.  It's three years later and I've substituted fitness for fatness, and half a marathon for a full size snickers. So having adjusted my goals accordingly, in October I am running 10 miles in aid of AYME which is a charity for young people with ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).  As you may know my girlfriend, Claire, has been suffering with ME for over a year now and AYME have been great in providing advice and support and have put her in contact with other people who have been suffering with the same problems.  Claire though has recovered enough to go back to work and so is luckier than most.  Such is the debilitating nature of the disease, some sufferers are unable to dress or feed themselves, and have just 3-4% mobility. 

It's a worthy cause but now there are some additional incentives so please bear with me whilst I set the scene…

The FA Cup is the oldest and most prized piece of silverware in the world of football. Every youngster in the land dreams of the opportunity to lift the FA Cup above their head whilst wearing the colours of their favourite team. Of course, if you’re a youngster supporting Southampton (like me), you grow up knowing that as unlikely as it is that you will become a professional footballer, it is even less likely that anyone in a Southampton shirt will lift the FA Cup in your lifetime….

...that is until now.

Portsmouth somehow etched their name on the trophy last May, however, they have allowed the FA Cup to leave their hands for one day, and one day only, and it happens to be the day of the Great South Run. 

The organisers, hearing that I support Southampton have taken the ultimate pity on me. They have offered me an incentive to raise a bit more cash. They have promised me that if I raise £1,000 I can triumphantly lift the FA Cup above my head proudly wearing my Saints shirt, before the race begins. However, if I fail to raise £1,000 I have to hang my head in shame as I carry the Cup aloft wearing the Portsmouth kit. The shame will stay with me for life. I will never live it down. To be sure of the shame, they are releasing a statement to the local press in order to get plenty of coverage, and more importantly for those of you who like to see me humiliated – to take pictures.

This is obviously about raising money for AYME, but let’s be honest, it’s personal now. I want to be the first person in 30 years to be in a Saints kit holding the FA Cup. If you haven’t already, please sponsor me and help me realise the dreams of my childhood.

My apologies for the grovelling, I know it's undignified.

Cheers,
Dave