My Charities

As well as the challenge of running 60 marathons in 60 weeks, I have set myself the long term goal of raising £60k for a wide range of charities – yes I know it’s a big ask, but you gotta aim high. With support and help from all my family, friends, as well as local, national and international businesses and of course all my running chums at Littledown Harriers – I’m positive it can be achieved.

It was a tough job selecting my charities as there are so many worthy causes, but I have now selected a total of six as beneficiaries, three charities local to the Bournemouth area, two national charities and one international charity see below:

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Barry Light to carry the Olympic Torch - Yes folks it’s just been officially confirmed, I’m to carry the flame in Hamworthy, Poole Nr Bournemouth – Friday 13th! – hope I don’t drop it. I’m really made up, it will be fantastic as I should be about half way through my challenge by then. This is all thanks to Louise Trott of the ‘Wessex Autistic Society’ for nominating me, thanks Louise – you’re a star! You can find out more about the Olympic Torch arriving in Bournemouth and the evening celebrations that are to take place, by checking out the London 2012 Olympic website Here. I just love one of the ‘Did you know?’ facts – “Bournemouth was the first place in Europe to have an artificial surf reef” ha ha! who wrote that stuff? they certainly had a sense of humour.

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Mosaic – Have been chosen as the Charity of the Year 2012 by the members of Littledown Harriers running club. They are a Dorset charity offering support to bereaved children, young people, parents and carers. They provide individual support and offer children and young people the opportunity to meet others and share their experiences, check out: www.mosaicfamilysupport.org.uk

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Wessex Autistic Society – Operating in Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire, they provide a range of education, social care and advocacy services to anyone affected by Autism, check out: www.twas.org.uk

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Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance – Any one, at any time, could require the services of the Air Ambulance: no one is immune! They pride themselves on having an outstanding Air Ambulance emergency service. Their team of highly trained paramedics and pilots use their knowledge, skill and cheerful enthusiasm to save lives every day, check out: www.dsairambulance.org.uk

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TeamPB – The Prostate Cancer Charity and Breast Cancer Care are excited to be the Joint Official Charity of the 2012 Virgin London Marathon. Each year around 50,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer and 37,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer – making them the most common cancers in men and women in the UK. Combined, more than 750,000 people are living with these two cancers in the UK right now, check out: www.teampb.org.uk

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WaterAid – Is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) and the UK’s only major charity dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. These most basic services are essential to life; without them vulnerable communities are trapped in the stranglehold of disease and poverty, check out: www.wateraid.org

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I am giving a cast iron guarantee that all funds raised will go to the charities and NOT to subsidise my passion for running. Therefore, I have chosen Virgin Money Giving as my fundraising web-site of choice because it is completely free for fundraisers and donors to use, and charities are better off because they’re 100 per cent not-for-profit and Gift Aid is reclaimed and passed on in full. For more information on Virgin Money Giving please visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com