Thanks for visiting, sit yourself down, help yourself to a pink wafer biscuit and take a look at what we're doing and why.
First up who are we? We are Old Ma Coates (Mark Coates), Granny Hammond (Chrissy Hammond) and Nana Hutt (James Hutt). We've joined together to run the Bristol half marathon and raise money for two fabulous charities. Arthritis Research UK (ARUK) and The British Heart Foundation (BHF).
What?
We're all running the Bristol half marathon on September 11th. It's Nana Hutt's first ever half marathon and not only have I roped him into doing it, but I've somehow convinced him it'd be a great idea to do it in fancy dress. So as an additional challenge we're running dressed as old ladies - in a politically incorrect nod to the arthritis research connection. So wigs, floral twin sets, wrinkled tights, walking sticks, the works. That's gotta be worth a bit of cash, eh?
Why?
Both are charities that are close to my heart, ARUK fund scientific research into all forms of arthritis, including my own work on osteoarthritis. For those of you who know me well you'll know that I'm massively passionate about the research we're doing and honestly believe that we can come up with a cure for this painful, debilitating condition that affects more than 8 million people in the UK (and for which there is no treatment except surgery).
The BHF are another fantastic charity supporting medical research into all forms of heart disease. It's something I feel deeply about as this week a very close friend discovered her unborn child has a heart condition.
So please dig deep to support us and I might even knit you a tea cosy.
The blurb.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 28%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too. That means more money goes to the charity, faster, with JustGiving.
