Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to visit my fund-raising  page.

At the end of May I'm going to running my first (and maybe last, depending on how it goes!) marathon up in Edinburgh.  I'm raising sponsorship for Oxford and District Mencap and would be very grateful of any support you can give, no matter how small. 

Oxford Mencap have been a great help to my family and, in particular, to my sister Annabel over the years. Annabel has Down's syndrome and has lived most of her adult life in a flat in Oxford with round the clock care provided by the national Mencap charity. When we were all growing up, however, it was the local branch of Mencap that helped Annabel and our family out.  The work of this small, voluntary organisation is often overlooked and since it is financially independent from Mencap, I'm asking you to support it directly. 

Annabel first went to the Opportunity Playgroup, run by Oxford Mencap when she was a toddler and her relationship with local Mencap continued throughout her childhood with annual holidays at Hill End in Oxfordshire and at Glasbury in Wales often her most talked about highlight of the year. These holidays gave Annabel the chance to get away with her friends and to gave my parents some respite. Later on, Annabel attended Seven O'Clock Club, a weekly social club for adults also run by volunteers and local Mencap, continuing the opportunity to spend time with the friends she has made over the years.  By donating, you'll be helping continue the holidays, the social club and the community support that is needed amongst individuals and families affected by learning disabilities.

Thanks again!

Olly