Road2London2020

[p]Firstly, thanks for visiting my page. [/p][p]I’ve always loved running and have previously run two Half Marathons (just) in 2011 and 2015. After the 2015 run I celebrated too much and piled on the weight which I then struggled to lose. In 2018, I met a great coach called Paul and started doing weight-loss football. By the end of 2018 I had lost over 5 stone and got back into plodding around the streets of Rye, I also now run my own Men’s Weight Loss Footy League in Bexhill to help other men who have weight issues. [/p][p]Sitting watching the London Marathon on the TV in 2019 I thought I would like to give that a go in 2020 and raise as much money for a cancer charity in the memory of my cousin Laura, who sadly passed away in 2011 due to complications as a result of being diagnosed with cancer in 2002 at the tender age of 14. Laura was an awesome person and in the limited time she was on this planet touched many people’s lives with her kind nature and love for animals. [/p][p]Thankfully the wonderful guys at Children with Cancer UK decided to give me a place in the Marathon for 2020. However, as anyone who know me knows that whilst running a Marathon is a challenge, I could not just simply do the one run. I decided I wanted to create a plan - a ‘[b]Road2London2020[/b]’ that will challenge me and keep me focused (I think I’ve been watching too many endurance running documentaries on streaming services). [/p][p]So, my challenge to myself and to raise as much money for Children with Cancer UK is to do [b]6 Runs in 6 Months[/b] ([b]5 Half Marathons[/b] and finishing with the [b]London Marathon in April 2020[/b]). My journey might go one step further, but this is up to you……..[/p][p]Before I knew I was in London I also entered the Brighton Marathon as I have always wanted to do a Marathon and raise loads of money for a charity. So, I am also going to do the Brighton Marathon the week before the London if you lovely people help me raise over £6,000. [/p][p][b]So, my plan (with all places listed, confirmed) is as follows:[/b][/p][p]· 9th November 2019 - Bexhill Poppy Half Marathon[/p][p]· 8th December 2019 - Goodwood Half Marathon[/p][p]· January 2020 TBC[/p][p]· 23rd February 2020 - Brighton Half Marathon[/p][p]· 29th March 2020 - Hastings Half Marathon[/p][p]· 19th April 2020 - Brighton Marathon (if I raise more than £6K 1 week before this date)[/p][p]· 26th April 2020 - London Marathon[/p][p]Thank you for taking the time to read this, it’s greatly appreciated. I hope you decide to support me, and I can do everyone, especially Laura proud.[/p][p]Training has begun and you can follow my progress here - https://www.strava.com/athletes/3740773[/p][p][br][/p][p][b]A bit about Children with Cancer UK[/b][/p][p]Every day 12 families in the UK receive the devastating news that their child has cancer. Through funding vital specialist research, Children with Cancer UK has done everything in its power to give these children the best chance to survive. [/p][p]With your support Children with Cancer UK can fund over 60 research projects across the UK accelerating breakthroughs to help drive up childhood cancer survival rates and find kinder, more effective treatments to reduce long-term side effects. This ground breaking research saves children's lives and would otherwise go unfunded. [/p][p]Knowing treatment can be especially challenging for family life, Children with Cancer UK also helps fund patient family accommodation near hospitals so families can stay together during their children's treatment. We also organise unforgettable days out for children and their families to create memories that will never be lost. [/p][p]But we still have so much more to do. A single child dying from cancer is one too many. With your support, we are helping to create a future in which every child with cancer survives and experiences the life changing moment when they ring the end of treatment bell.[/p][p]Thank you for helping to save the lives of children with cancer and keep families together.[/p][p]Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor me and donations will be quickly processed and passed to Children with Cancer UK. [/p][p]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.[/p][p]I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.[/p]