Thank you for visiting my fundraising page and a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has sponsored me so far. No matter how small your donation is it will make a huge difference to Cancer Research UK, so please sponsor me now and help me to raise essential funds for this worthwhile charity. Please note this page stops taking donations on 24 June 2006.
Saturday 10 June
Today's the day, there are butterflies in my tummy, the knee is still dodgy but hey I'll be out there doing my stuff with 3,500 other women all doing the same thing: celebrating and remembering all those who have been affected by cancer (those who are living with this awful disease, those who have survived and those who sadly lost their battle) whilst raising essential funds for Cancer Research UK in the hope that one day there will be a cure and cancer will be no more.
Well now I have officially been and gone and done it, I made it round in 40 minutes with my dodgy knee, I ran down the hills, walked up them and speed walked the rest. The day was oh so hot and the atmosphere was amazing, all those women with their loved ones in mind made it very emotional too. Unfortunately, Bonnie was not able to be there as she was taken into hospital with a high temperature but as you can see from the photograph she proudly wears her medal too. This has been my first ever attempt at fundraising and has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and I could not have done it without your support. I cannot thank you all enough for your kind donations to Cancer Research UK, they help fund Bonnie's trial (UK ALL 2003) so a HUGE THANK YOU FOR THAT TOO. Bonnie made me a thank you card and she wrote inside "thank you nannie for running for me": made it all worthwhile.
I was motivated to run Race For Life by my 5 year old Granddaughter Bonnie who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on 21 June 2005. She is such a special and beautiful little girl who has been incredibly brave during her treatment and both her humour and zest for life have been truly inspiring. Throughout Bonnie’s illness I have felt extremely anxious and helpless so have decided to get rid of all my negative energy by doing something positive.
Also I Raced For Life in loving memory of my lifelong best friend Judith who sadly lost her short battle with cancer on 30 May 2004. I was so privileged and fortunate in spending her last 4 months with her in Canada and 2 years on I still miss her terribly.
Cancer will affect us all, in one way or another, at some stage in our lives because the fact is that as many as one in three of us will get this awful disease. Innocent children and adults will continue to suffer its cruel brutality until a cure is found so please support Cancer Research UK by giving as much or as little as you can. As a charity, Cancer Research UK rely overwhelmingly on the success of fundraising events such as Race for Life to continue their life-saving research into the prevention, treatment and cure of all forms of cancer.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks for your support and please forward this page on to everyone you know, at home and overseas, who you think might want to donate too.
Claire x
Thursday 4 May
Bought my trainers after work and was pleased to hear that I should wear them in at home for a week before I start running in them, sounds good to me!!
Monday 8 May
Increased my fundraising target to £400 as £200 was raised in the first week. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me to date, together we are raising essential funds for Cancer Research UK. Saturday 13 May At last the training hath begun! Took a 20 minute walk downhill to my training venue, then ran for 1 minute and walked for 1 minute 10 times (easy I hear you say, I think not, I am so unfit), then took a 20 minute walk uphill back home with legs feeling like lead!! Never mind it should be easier next time, shouldn't it? Wednesday 17 May Increased my target to £600 as an amazing £400 was raised on the 16th day of fundraising. Thanks again to everyone who has sponsored me so far, your kind donation will mean so much to Cancer Research UK. Nothing much to report on the training front but I have been making a big effort at work by using the stairs instead of the lift and can now walk up 3 flights of stairs without losing my breath. Hope to take myself off for a run tomorrow after work, if it's not raining that is, there goes another excuse!! I will be starting my 3 week beginner's blitz training on Monday http://www.raceforlife.org.uk/pdfs/3week_blitz_training_plan.pdf then the fun shall really begin!! Saturday 20 May Took myself off for a run, action replay of last Saturday, found a venue closer to home though so did not take as long but it was just as tough. Monday is when the real training begins, so come rain or shine there will be no excuses, I will be out there, honest!! Wow an amazing £533 has been raised to date, a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has sponsored me so far. Monday 22 May Yep after work I started training officially (3 week Beginner's Blitz http://www.raceforlife.org.uk/pdfs/3week_blitz_training_plan.pdf) ran 1 minute, walked 1 minute 10 times, I cannot say that it has got easier but my legs don't feel like lead anymore. Wednesday's training sounds tough but I will be out there promise! Wednesday 24 May Increased my fundraising target to £800 as an incredible £638 has been raised on the 23rd day of fundraising, I am so overwhelmed by your support and THANK YOU ALL for sponsoring me. I will not be making anymore promises as I did not get out training after work tonight as I have a dodgy knee due to too much walking up and down those stairs at work!! Wednesday 31 May Thought it was high time that I gave you another update. I have been sticking to the training and yes I do find it tough but hey at the end of the day I can walk and run this Race for Life. For me it is has to be the effort that counts while my focus remains on Bonnie and Judith, the reasons I am doing this. As for you guys THANK YOU SO MUCH for your kind donations to Cancer Research UK they are really keeping me going. Only 10 days to go!! Wednesday 7 June Took myself off to Stoke Park today and did my training over there, makes it all seem so real and only 3 days to go!!
