The BIG one: Reflections before the Nurburgring

This is a very special blog as I am going to talk about the charities I am raising money for in depth, before I embark on my toughest run for Challenge 1000.

 

This Saturday 1^st September I will take part in a 24.4km run around the Nurburgring. I will experience some very painfully steep and long hills throughout this run.

Running is as much about mental strength as it is physical. The mental strength comes from what causes you to run, what fuels the desire to keep your feet pounding despite the sweat and pain.

I have two forms of fuel; two amazing charities!!! So this blog will focus on what these charities do, and their importance, and most importantly why you should sponsor me to raise money for them!

 

 

 

The Child Bereavement Charity is a national charity that has a big impact on people’s lives every day.

Supporting families and educating professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.

In the UK, when a baby or child dies, or a child is bereaved, many of those affected are unable to access good quality support which meets their individual needs.

The money you sponsor me for Challenge 1000 goes towards;

£10 pays for a call by a parent grieving the death of their child into the Support and Information Line. A trained professional will listen to them in confidence.

£25 pays for a parent whose child has died to meet with other parents to share their experience, learn from others and talk in a safe environment.

£40 pays for a face to face support session for a young person who is grieving the death of someone important to them to help them to start rebuilding their life.

£300 pays for a child to go through a series of groups where they meet other children who are also grieving the death of someone close to them, so that they don’t feel so alone.

This support is much needed and makes a huge difference to children, young people and families.

Perhaps your journey into supporting the charity has started just by sponsoring me :-)

(Also, if you like running, or want to start, you can continue your journey into supporting the charity by entering Run to the Beat on 28^th October 2012. This is a Half Marathon, starting and finishing at the O2 Arena, London, with live music acts en-route!)

Cancer can affect anyone of any age, of any gender, of any ethnicity. Cancer causes 1 in 4 deaths every year.

Cancer Research UK provides patient information, funding and research and campaigns to fight cancer.

The money I raise for them will go to achieving their goals. Which, amongst their many are; reducing risk, earlier diagnosis, cancer information, better treatments and improved survival.

Today more than 300,000 people are newly diagnosed with cancer each year. The overall cancer death rate continues to fall. Breast cancer survival rates continue to improve. Lung cancer incidence rates in men have dropped by 10 per cent since the year 2000 alone.  Bowel cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s.

To keep up improvements Cancer Research UK are developing new research institutes and have five flagship institutes across the UK.  In 2007 the new Cambridge Research Institute opened. The institute is home to almost 200 scientists working to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and convert their discoveries into new treatments.

In 2008, the Cancer Research UK MRC Gray Institute for Radiation Oncology and Biology opened in Oxford, heralding a new era of research into ways to improve radiotherapy for people with cancer.

Their various campaigns are vital, such as ‘The answer is plain’ to help protect children from tobacco marketing by putting all cigarettes in standardised, unbranded packs.

I believe that research and education are all vital in beating cancer. Support and information for those living with cancer as and when they need it is vital.

Cancer cannot be fought if it is ignored. I believe everyone should pay attention and hopefully start to talk about it more.

This charity is within my legacy to raise money for. So for my Grampy Fred, the money I raise for this charity is very much dedicated to you.

So on Friday I am off to Germany to run the green hell....I will report back!

On Saturday I will be appearing at the top of one of these many uphill sections....looking worse for wear I would think....

Thank you to all my supporters and donors so far. I am aiming to raise £1000 so please keep the donations coming. Thank you!