UPDATE - Issue 19 - October 2004
Who is having fun fundraising?
Bernard Wills tells us how he ran in the 2004 London Marathon in aid of the Prostate Research Campaign UK. 'It was my 10th marathon so perhaps I should have been supporting Mental Health!! My first marathon was back in 1981 when I was nearly 52.
'Late in 2000 I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and after much thought and discussion decided on radical prostatectomy. The operation was scheduled for the Tuesday after the 2001 London Marathon. My surgeon-to-be suggested that I watch it on television instead of running because he wanted me fit on the table. He (Roger Kirby) ran in that marathon to get fit to operate on me!
'In 2004 I found conditions for decent times were not there. It was cold and wet. The T-shirt I wore under my running vest rubbed my shoulders raw so the last five miles were rather unpleasant. I felt then that it might be my last marathon. However, Roger reminded me that 2005 is the 25th anniversary of the London Marathon and he and colleagues are thinking of another group run so perhaps I will do just one more.'
You may remember in the last edition of Update we mentioned that Mrs. Jan Roberts was taking part in the Nijmegen Marches - the equivalent of four marathons a day.
Well she did it, and in difficult circumstances, read on . . . .
This year was Jan's 3rd year at completing this arduous challenge. When she flew out to Holland she didn't realise at the time that she had a stomach problem which unfortunately lasted longer than the event. It was lucky they didn't perform drug tests or she may have been disqualified for high levels of Imodium! But with lots of little bits of food, rehydration sachets and isotonic drinks she managed not to give up and actually clocked up 112 miles over the 4 days. Naturally she was left completely exhausted and feeling every one of her 56 years!
All Jan's courageous efforts were not in vain. She collected £1005. Well done Jan and thank you for all your efforts!
Thanks to all those and especially the children who raised £1183 in memory of Harry Robinson. He taught music at Telferscot Primary School in Balham, London, where the children took part in a sponsored Skip-It-Up-Day, raising £743 in memory of a much-loved teacher.
Semi-retired Optometrist Mike Hancock successfully completed his pilgrimage from All Saint's Church, Beckley, near Rye to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northern Spain.
He left at the Church fete at the end of August and reached his destination one month and 1431 miles later. His trusty bike proved to be perfect and only once did he have to get off and walk. He had just one rainy day and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience - the varying countryside, the fascinating people he met - all, culminating in Santiago's magnificent cathedral set in its beautiful square.
So far Mike has raised over £4,000 for the Prostate Research Campaign UK and over £2,000 towards re-shingling the steeple of All Saints Church.