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Update 24/4/12

We did it!!  Mark completed the marathon in 4 hrs 38 mins and Ally in 6 hrs 9 min.

Apart from some sunburn and a late last mile soaking for Ally, we're both ok and planning on going for it again next year!

We both really appreciate all the support and donations, but don't forget it's still not too late to donate now. 

Thanks again to everyone.

Update 29/2/12

Mark has had a serious health scare but has now been given the all clear to continue training. So we really need your help to raise lots of money for Help & Care as we've been so busy making sure Mark is ok that we need a bit of a boost with the rundraising.

Once again Mark and Ally are running the Virgin London Marathon on 22 April 2012 to raise money for Help & Care. As most of your know this has become an annual event for us and we are happy to support Help & Care to continue the good work that they undertake for the local community.

Help & Care is a registered charity working with older people, carers and comminities, with their head office based in Pokesdown, Bournemouth. Their mission - to help people get the best from life - particularly those people who need more support than others such as people in later life, people who care for someone, or people less able to assert themselves in the world.

Every year, more than 30,000 older people die from preventable causes over the winter months, more than two million people over 65 suffer from depression but because of their age, many of them don't receive the help they need. There are 2.8 million people aged 50 and over providing unpaid care in the UK.

Help & Care offer support via a number of different services, including a Gateway information helpline , a support service for older people who need that little bit of help - whether it's someone to accompany them to an essential hospital appointment, a visit to a social club or take them on a shopping trip and Handiworks Plus, a social enterpirse - a one stop shop for all home repairs and maintenance needs in the home.

So please help us to reach our fund raising target and donate whatever you can to ensure Help & Care can continue their work for the local community. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Help & Care 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.

Thanks again.

Mark and Ally