Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m not the fittest of people (lazy would be one word for me), let alone the healthiest especially in my teenage years (dislocating kneecaps and 2 operations) and the past year (arthroscopic knee surgery, severe allergy and skin issues).  And of course theres the long term issue of needing a knee replacement and having the beginnings of arthritis.

But lets put that all aside shall we – I’ve got a place in the London Marathon!  Madness it may be, but its something I’ve always wanted to do and after many years of trying I have finally got in!  I am under no illusions that I will need to train hard and that I will be walking the entire 26 ish miles as there is no way I can run, but I really, really hope that I can complete the course, and with your help I can do it!

Whilst my other half is going to arrange for people to support me every couple of miles as its going to take me probably well over 8 hours to finish (and probably closer to 9, by which point most supporters will have gone home and they will have started packing up the finish!), what I need at this point is motivation whether verbal (post a comment!), physical (anyone fancy doing some long walks with me?), or by sponsoring me by going to https://www.justgiving.com/Sturtridge-London-Marathon.

I’ve decided that the money I raise by doing the marathon will be going to HEAL Project Zambia a charity that helps to support children and families affected by HIV/Aids in Zambia.  Many children are orphaned due to AIDs, and also their families are destitute as they are often shunned after diagnosis (and thats even if one of the parents doesn’t die as well).  The HEAL project has built and supports a school and food for over 350 children, as well as helping men and women to earn money through needlework and other crafts.  The project has also built a house where one of the founders of the charity can look after around 30 children who need medical care.  The project raises the money it needs to support all this work by talks and table-top sales here in the UK and applying to organisations for grants but more is always needed.

Please help me to help those much less fortunate than myself to have a much better life.  Thank you!