Running for Charity > Reviews (3)

Running for charities -

I am going to write this review about my experiences running for charities and training for the events.

** Background on me **

The only way I can think of how to start this review is that I was never the one at school who liked running - infact I was the one hiding away from the PE teachers, hoping they would forget about me. Normally they did until one time they made me do the 1500 and I collapsed with an asthma attack. It probably did not help I was slightly over weight and they never made me do it again - yippee. This all changed as I got older and started to lose the weight - I still didn't like running but made up for it by going on bikes and Cross -trainers. Until I took part in the race for life last year - I walked it in memory for my dad who died of lung cancer and did it in 52 minutes, I though how dreadful at my age to be so unfit.

** 1st Charity Race 5K- Cancer research ***

I booked my place again in this years Race for Life 2007 that was taking place in July (see Review). I was so determined to be much fitter and at least run a good part of the 5k race. I started to do some training at the end of May at this point I could hardly jog never mind run. Gee how dreadful I thought and I asked for help from the gym staff to give me a slight programme and I started on the treadmill for a 20 minute walk for a couple of weeks then built up my time to 30 min walk with a 2 min jog etc till I could do a full 5k jog. This I have to say did help me with my weight loss along side with Weight watchers. I took my place with nearly 4,000 other participants; I completed the race in 39 minutes. The support from all the spectators was fantastic and so was the atmosphere that it does make you quite emotional.

The feeling I got from doing that run was amazing for 3 reasons;

1) Raised a fantastic amount for cancer research - £856:00
2) I felt I had done a great justice for my dad
3) I felt so much fitter in my health

Running for CANCER RESEARCH there is NO minimum sponsorship amount to raise - every little helps! I found running for this charity an easy choice as it was very personal to me and my family - which makes you more determined to finish and raise as much as you can.
After the race it was like a bug I had to do more running and I had to have another challenge another charity event to raise money for. I kept up with my running at least twice a week but improved my distance up to 6.5k in 45 minutes; slowly I am improving myself and feeling a lot healthier. I have also shifted around 31.5lb in weight and lost 29 inches.

** 2nd Charity Race 3K & 10K- Premature baby unit for Salisbury Hospital - Stars Appeal **

Originally I was going to take part in the 10k race for the Keyhole cancer unit at Salisbury hospital. This was also to set myself a challenge but at the same time a great chance to raise money for a great cause. Then I thought about my little boy who is 3 years old - Jaime. He came along with me at the Race for life event back in July and cheered me on and loved the whole day.

So I thought I wonder if he could take part in the 3k fun run/walk in aid for the premature baby unit. So I phoned up the campaigner - Hannah to see if that was possible and she said yep as long as I went around with him - great!

I filled in the online order form which was very simple indeed and choose to raise money for the premature baby unit - as I thought a child running/walking for other children who are less fortunate than himself. I talked to Jaime and made it sound more fun to him by telling him he'll be dressing up as Spiderman. A few days later we got our sponsor packs including our FREE T-Shirts for the event. Jaime's was well too big as it was age 7-8 but it was ok as he was going as Spiderman after all.
I set Jaime up a web page on a great site called www.justgiving.com - this site was very easy to set up and it's all free to do so. This was great as I could then email everyone I knew

• Family
• Friends
• Work colleagues
• Ciao members - you know who you are….

I also passed around his sponsor paper around too for those who didn't want to donate online. He has risen to date so far £411 - fantastic!

On the day Jaime very much looked the part and he completed the whole event, with a little help from mummy and mummy's friend Kerry. There was a lot of support from the LA fitness guys, the Army who was the event holders and the crowds themselves all gave him there support by cheering him along the route. It was quite emotional being his mummy - watching everyone shouting for my little boy - who is too young to realise why he was actually walking/running for. He just smiled as they all shouted "Go Spiderman!!!"
He came in 3rd from last but he took part and raised a great amount for those poor babies - he is very proud of his medal he received. In his eyes he is a winner and told everyone. We are looking at taking part again next year but he wants to dress as Shreik.

*** To Date ***

At the moment I am looking at a few other running events for great causes - that are very personal to me, my family and friends. The ones I'm looking at running for are:

• Cancer Research
• Help our hero's - Injured Soldiers
• Leukaemia - Banana Army Run
• NSPCC
• Stars Appeal - Premature Baby Unit

Who knows maybe in a few years I might even consider running a marathon but I won't hold myself to that just yet. I will just keep supporting the charities that are important to me and hopefully my efforts are helping other less fortunate.

Thank-you for reading