Running the 2019 London Marathon as the GOSH mascot Bernard The Bear
Thomas Waines is raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity
Story
As many of you already know 2018 saw me complete my first ever marathon in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital - I swore it would be my last!!! I’ve been given the opportunity to run this year's marathon in fancy dress - Bernard The Bear - GOSH's mascot. It’s a thick heavy one piece suit, has 4 fingered gloves (not 5) and a massive foam head giving minimum visibility - maximum warmth.
Since arriving at Great Ormond Street hospital just before Christmas 2017, Henry has had multiple operations and procedures to enable his long term recovery. The care he’s received throughout his stay has been exemplary! It’s not a long stretch to say that without GOSH’s care, facilities and amazing staff - Henry wouldn’t be with us today.
Henry is currently making great progress and is keeping up with his developmental milestones. He’s now home, back in Bridlington and doing great! Ben and Shevonne are very relieved to be home with him.
Having raised just short of £12,000 (without gift aid) last year, I’d love to try emulate that success this time! The extra effort in training and pain required to run a marathon wearing what is in essence a woolly sleeping bag is not to be sniffed at. Most evenings through the winter I’ll be out running, in the dark, damp, British winter after a full day at work. Weekends I’m going to try do one long run in the suit - weather dependant. With any luck, come April I’ll have completed between 300 - 400 miles of training.
Great Ormond Street see over 600 new patients every day and need £200m in additional support every year just to maintain its services. Please give as much as you can afford to, to encourage my training and make sure GOSH’s important work is continued.
Thank you.
Since arriving at Great Ormond Street hospital just before Christmas 2017, Henry has had multiple operations and procedures to enable his long term recovery. The care he’s received throughout his stay has been exemplary! It’s not a long stretch to say that without GOSH’s care, facilities and amazing staff - Henry wouldn’t be with us today.
Henry is currently making great progress and is keeping up with his developmental milestones. He’s now home, back in Bridlington and doing great! Ben and Shevonne are very relieved to be home with him.
Having raised just short of £12,000 (without gift aid) last year, I’d love to try emulate that success this time! The extra effort in training and pain required to run a marathon wearing what is in essence a woolly sleeping bag is not to be sniffed at. Most evenings through the winter I’ll be out running, in the dark, damp, British winter after a full day at work. Weekends I’m going to try do one long run in the suit - weather dependant. With any luck, come April I’ll have completed between 300 - 400 miles of training.
Great Ormond Street see over 600 new patients every day and need £200m in additional support every year just to maintain its services. Please give as much as you can afford to, to encourage my training and make sure GOSH’s important work is continued.
Thank you.