Jon Smith Polarrunner

Charity

The Lee Smith Foundation Limited - The supply, support and promotion of treatments, cures, research and equipment, to help people suffering from cancer, debilitating diseases and disabilities.
The Lee Smith Foundation Limited
The supply, support and promotion of treatments, cures, research and equipment, to help people suffering from cancer, debilitating diseases and disabilities.

Event details

07 April 2011

I'm doing my first ever marathon, at the North Pole!

Only 0 days to go!


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Jon Smith Polarrunner's fundraising page

Fundraiser: 
Jon Smith Polarrunner

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

There is never a good time to ask for money - even more so in the depths of a recession and in a grey wet February – but it’s been a long time, over 10 years, since I asked anyone to sponsor me (the last time was jumping out of airplanes with the Red Devils at the back end of the last century!)

But this is a unique moment. Those of you who might have followed my blog recently (polarrunner.wordpress.com), will know that I am about to undertake something rather ridiculous; but the challenge was put to me (difficult to back down even at my age!) and the organisers passed me ‘good to go’.

So this is it …… I am running my first ever marathon – at the North Pole !!

I leave for the Pole on 2nd April this year and run the 26.2 miles in circa minus 40 degrees on the 7th April. Due to weather conditions it is not 26 miles in a straight line as they could lose us in a white out or to the odd polar bear (although they rarely travel that far north – it’s too cold!). We will run 4.4km in a circuit round the North Pole x 10. There are 24 ‘uber marathoners’ from around the world plus me - a marathon virgin! and I am supremely confident that the 24 in front of me will be able to smooth a path through the snow to enable me to finish this within the time limit (36 hours!) that the Russian military plane transporting us can remain on the North Pole Ice Floe!!

As you all know, over the years, I’ve run a charity in memory of my first wife, Lee, who passed away 30 years ago. The funds raised have given new lives to many cancer afflicted children. I would really like this marathon to support the Lee Smith Foundation's new TaNK cell treatment. A potentially new treatment for Prostate, Breast and Ovarian cancer, Leukaemia and Myeloma.

I also want to introduce you to Alex Field. Alex is a cheeky, bright and cheerful 7 year old boy who has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. At present he is under treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey, however a new treatment that could potentially save his life looks to be available in California and we would like to be able to pay for that treatment by the funds raised from this marathon.

I know how tough it is out there for everyone at the moment but please find it in your hearts and wallets (!) to be as generous as possible especially to try and help to give little Alex his life back. 

 
Thank you in anticipation  

Jon

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

Recent donors

07.05.11 Hi Jon, Sorry for the dealy my friend, but payment now made for your fantastic effort, which hopefully you have recovered from by now. Regards Robin

05.05.11 Well done son, different class.

04.05.11

26.04.11 well done - courageous effort - insane !!!

26.04.11 John, a fantastic event,you must be very proud of your sucess and raising money for such a worthwhile cause.Well done. Richard and all at Baker Tilly.

12.04.11 I am blessed with a beautiful active 11 year old who loves playing football. I hope Alex is up playing football again soon, with a big smile on his face!! Best wishes x

12.04.11 well done Jon!

12.04.11 Great cause, glad to support you

11.04.11 Jon - you are amazing. Love from Karen, Toni, Lee, Jodie, Daniel and Chloe xxxxxx

10.04.11 Amazing jon. Over 8 hours of doing anything is hard enough but running in minus 30 degrees has got to be up there! Makes my one next week sound a bit rubbish! X

09.04.11 Awesome Jon. Your are clearly King of the "Old Farts" Brigade. What a great performance. Well done. best. Michael & Ginou

08.04.11 Good luck Jon , I'm sure all that training will have been worth it !!

07.04.11 Jon - so you'll literally do this marathon in no time at all! Best wishes, Ivan

07.04.11 Has everything shrunk, even more than usual?

07.04.11 We are thinking of you - freezing up there for SUCH a good cause and are full of admiration. We send you our love and this donation - today is our 40th Wedding Anniversary - we mark it TOO in this way.

06.04.11 The very best of luck! Any Marathon is hard enough but you're taking it to new levels

05.04.11

05.04.11 Good luck!! :)

05.04.11 Good luck Jon - terrific effort

05.04.11 Destined to reach the Pole and never my junk mail folder again! Good Luck John!

04.04.11 what an amazing and worthwhile venture. we wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing all on your return, Nick and Nikki Staton

04.04.11 Wishing you all the luck in the world for such a great cause. When it gets tough , keep your head and smile...just like I do during Spurs games! Look forward to hearing all of the stories about the trip. Love Carly xx

04.04.11 Bon chance, Jon -- and Alex!

03.04.11 With you all the way, Jon!

01.04.11 Good luck Jon - we will be thinking of you and cheering you on. Best wishes Michael & Cheryl

£46,299.61

Running total

Target:
£50,000.00
Total raised incl. Gift Aid:
£48,195.58
Total donors:
120
Biggest donor:
CP Plus Limited
£1,000.00  
Last donor:
Robin & Margaret Adams
07.05.11  
Offline fundraising:
£35,026.00