Thanks for visiting my page!!

Okay, okay, I know two years ago I promised you all that Edinburgh 2007 would be the only time I asked you all to dig deep into your pockets and sponsor me to run the marathon.  I guess a few things have happened since then that have caused me to have a rethink:

1) One of my friends told me that to be a "real" marathon runner you had to have done more than 1 marathon (thanks!)

2) I got about 2 stone heavier than last time I ran the marathon...

3) And on a more serious note, I visited the Westminster Society for People with Learning Disabilities' (WSPLD - see www.wspld.org ) project which you all helped to support last time (the sensory room).  It made a tangible and lasting difference, so once again, thank you!!

This year the WSPLD have approached me with another great project for which they need support.  We're hoping to train seven of WSPLD's existing staff to equip them with the skills to teach children with learning disabilities to swim, as well as funding swimming trips for the children.

This project deserves support.  Helping children learn to swim will not only help make them water-safe.  Swimming can help increase fitness, confidence and social skills, whether or not a person has a learning disability.  Many of us take this for granted, but for people with learning disabilities accessing these opportunities is much more challenging.  While Westminster has many landmark areas, outside of these  there is real deprivation and a lack of support and services for people who are the most vulnerable.  Where there is support it faces constant pressure from increasing expectations and tightening budgets.  Charities are feeling these effects every bit as much, if not more so than individuals and businesses.  We can only get this project off the ground through fundraising.

So, I am asking you once again if you'd be kind enough to lend your support and help fund this project by sponsoring me to run the Edinburgh marathon.  WSPLD has already raised a further £320 (plus gift aid) from appeals and through Board members and friends of the society, so the fundraising target is well within our reach.  Most importantly this is a chance to give a great opportunity to people who actually don't have very much in many cases, ask for even less, and who I know will value your contribution so very highly.

Thanks all for your continued support.

MC