James Russell

Charity

The Hypermobility Syndrome Association - The HMSA aims to provide support and information to those affected by the Syndrome and to promote knowledge and understanding within the medical community and the public at large. We hope to assist sufferers to come to terms with the HMS and the distress that it can cause. The severity of the effects of HMS varies with the individual: some have few symptoms others are severely affected. HMS is an 'invisible illness' and because of this we can look well to the outside world but are often in severe pain. Moreover the nature of hypermobile joints combined with frail tissues means that we are prone to injury when performing simple everyday tasks. This opens us to skepticism, particularly by those in the medical profession who know little about HMS. The pain, stress and frustration can lead to depression: thus depression can often be mistaken as the cause of the illness, not a result of it.
The Hypermobility Syndrome Association
The HMSA aims to provide support and information to those affected by the Syndrome and to promote knowledge and understanding within the medical community and the public at large. We hope to assist sufferers to come to terms with the HMS and the distress that it can cause. The severity of the effects of HMS varies with the individual: some have few symptoms others are severely affected. HMS is an 'invisible illness' and because of this we can look well to the outside world but are often in severe pain. Moreover the nature of hypermobile joints combined with frail tissues means that we are prone to injury when performing simple everyday tasks. This opens us to skepticism, particularly by those in the medical profession who know little about HMS. The pain, stress and frustration can lead to depression: thus depression can often be mistaken as the cause of the illness, not a result of it.

Event details

2011 Bupa Great Birmingham Run

23 October 2011

Birmingham's half marathon has been relaunched for 2011 as part of Great Run, the world’s biggest mass participation running programme. Formerly the Birmingham Half Marathon, the event will have a new name, the Bupa Great Birmingham Run and will sit alongside some of the UK's most iconic running events owned and organised by event management and sports marketing specialists Nova International. These include the world's leading half marathon the Bupa Great North Run and the nation’s most popular 10k the Bupa Great Manchester Run. The Birmingham Half Marathon was first staged in 2008, and in 2009 also incorporated the World Half Marathon Championships. The new look event will take place in Birmingham City Centre on Sunday 23 October 2011.




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James Russell's fundraising page

Fundraiser: 
James Russell

My page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimonbikeRussell

From Virgin:

"Hi, thanks for visiting my page. Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to charities. Virgin Money Giving is a not for profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity's behalf where the donor is eligible for this. I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations."

 

From me:

HMSA:

I'm supporting this charity as my wife suffers from Hypermobility Syndrome. Check out the web site for more details, but simply, her tendons are too stretchy, so joints don't stay in place particularly well. At best, it means that she can't walk for more than a mile, or run (if she could, I'd be getting her to do the running bit!), and at worst, it leaves her housebound and in pain, on strong pain medication. You don't see her on these days. There are people more badly affected - some are known personally by all the local paramedics, and now know how to get their joints back in position after dislocations.

Me:

I don't run. The biggest run I have ever done is 5k, back in 1990. I've turned 40, and mid-life crisis has hit me like a brick. So that is why I have run a half marathon.

Result:

I finished the race in 1hr 46mins 11secs, so soundly beat my 2hr target. I came 2,388th out of 11,443. (2153rd male, and 317th out of those in their early 40s).  I also premiered the new logo for HMSA fund raisers, c/o Hannah Ensor of Stickman Communications.

Yes, it hurt. But I gave it everything and I was fit to go on holiday the next day. The training paid off, and I'm proud of my result. Why don't you try it yourself next time?

 

Please give. Would make the pain of having run 13 and a bit miles worth it.

Fundraising has now finished, but thanks for visiting this page.

Recent donors

09.12.11

14.11.11 well done Jim - very good time

01.11.11 Well done Jim, good job!

30.10.11 Congrats Jim! Sorry for being so useless at actually getting round to donating, but better late than never...

27.10.11 Congratulations on doing the run Jim!

23.10.11 Good effort Jim, a very creditable time, the training clearly paid off. Enjoy a well earned rest

22.10.11 Good Luck Jim! Sub 2 hours would be great! I'll try and finish in under double that.......!!

17.10.11 Good luck - let us know how you get on!

17.10.11 So that's what you look like! All the very best Jim

03.10.11 Best of luck Jim, you can always stop off at home to pick up your bike if it's proving a bit too tiring on foot

28.09.11 Best wishes from Alison's friend from CWME

17.09.11

12.09.11 Hi Jim! Can't think of a better inspiration than your lovely Mrs. (How about joining me on a bike ride next year?)

08.09.11 Good Luck Jim enjoy the day,its all about finishing you wont be first and you wont be last.

04.09.11 Careful, you might like it and decide to do a longer one!

£599.17

Running total

Target:
£500.00
Total raised incl. Gift Aid:
£655.42
Total donors:
15
Biggest donor:
Rupert Whitmarsh
£50.00  
Last donor:
steve Williams 09.12.11  
Offline fundraising:
£354.17