24 Marathons and 4 Everests for Ellesmere, LARISA & Ashmount.

For regular updates see my blog at: http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog/fos53/3/tpod.html and I am starting to use facebook! Shock!http://www.facebook.com/#!/neil.foster.73113 I am using these as my means of keeping everybody updated with progress regarding training, fundraising and so on.

Bored!As many of you know, I retired recently from teaching having spent the last 26 years teaching in special educational needs (SEN) in Leicestershire.Now I have managed to do some supply work and other stuff, but felt in need of a major endurance challenge after my adventure to NZ.

What?I have decided on attempting to complete Britain’s longest National Trail:The South West Coast Path.This is 630 miles long with the equivalent ascent and descent of 4 Everests.But just to make it really challenging, I am going to try to run the coast path inside about 30 days; doing something like 20 miles to a Marathon a day!Well, if it were easy it wouldn’t be an endurance challenge would it!And I still think of myself as a bit of a Peter Pan rather than nearly 60!

Why?To complete my motivation for such an enormous task I would like to raise money for Special Educational Sport in Leicestershire.Over much of those 26 years in teaching I was involved in SEN sport and PE; either teaching, as head of PE, or running teams and setting up events.Both teaching sport and SEN became the focus and passion for nearly all my working life and I would very much like to continue to support inclusive PE and sport.

Who?Ellesmere College a Specialist Sports College, where I taught in Leicester, and Ashmount School, a county school in Loughborough, are both shortly to move to new build premises; though as their staff would confirm, budgets are continually being cut.I hope my run might raise sufficient new funds for both schools to purchase some major pieces of Sports equipment, that will not be covered in their own budgets or relocation costs.For example, new wheelchairs for basketball or new pool equipment.I would also hope to raise money to support Leicester-shire and Rutland Inclusive Sports Association (LARISA) in staging sporting events and supporting disabled athletes.LARISA is the umbrella and lead organisation for disability sport across the county; Ellesmere and Ashmount are both members.

When?I have started to increase my training over the last month or so; and I am slowly starting to realise that I am indeed no spring chicken nor Peter Pan!But I have set a date for 4 weeks in May/June 2013 to complete the challenge.My wife has agreed to act as support in Dora, our campervan.And we are hoping to have groups of students come for a residential experience to the South West to get involved too.

How to support. If you would like to sponsor me for undertaking 24 Marathons & 4 Everests you may use the Justgiving page.You may say in your message, which of the three great causes you want your money to go to; Ellesmere, Ashmount or LARISA.(Ashmount are acting as account holders for these funds raised.) Otherwise we will distribute funds pro rota.

Further Information.If you want more details contact myself at fos53@live.co.uk or on Telephone; 07754043863.I would be more than happy to meet groups or individuals to give further information on the needs of the three great causes. Or to describe the challenge in more detail and reasons for not pursuing other “bucket list challenges”.Principals at both schools would also be happy to discuss further.Or use their websites for more information. www.ellesmerecollege.org.uk www.ashmount.leics.sch.uk

Footnote.I do perceive there to be a risk of not completing this challenge in the time frame given due to trips, falls, accidents and injury!Tiredness, fatigue, stiffness, soreness, chaffing will not stop me and are part and parcel of endurance challenges.However, should I be forced to stop at any point, I will return to finish off the task; those that know me well understand that I do not like leaving jobs half finished!

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.