£500 donation for your charity challenge - The Winner!
We'd like to thank each and every person that took the time to enter the competition; we feel privileged that you have chosen to share your stories of why you are embarking on such amazing challenges with us. And reading your reasons has been a humbling experience, but truly inspirational. Unfortunately there can be only one winner of the £500 donation prize, and we are proud to announce that it's Melissa Cowley, embarking on the Virgin London Marathon for Beating Bowel Cancer.
Challenge - Virgin London Marathon
I ran the London Marathon three years ago with my lovely husband; we crossed the line in 4.5 hours, holding hands. Six weeks later he was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer which had spread to his pelvis and his liver, where he had 20 tumours. He died 19 months later at the age of 41, leaving me and our four young boys devastated. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer, but 90% of cases are treatable if caught in time. This year I am running to raise funds to help raise awareness and prevent other families going through our nightmare.
The 5 lucky runners up...
Challenge - Virgin London Marathon
by Shirley Todd (shirlst2)
I am a 40 year old mum of two from Edinburgh. In January 2008 I was diagnosed with a meningioma (benign brain tumour). I am running the marathon [Virgin London Marathon] (my first) in aid of The National Hospital Development Foundation as they are building the UK's first dedicated brain tumour unit. I will also be running in memory of Grant Mackenzie, who sadly died in May 2008 at the age of 38 from an aggressive malignant brain tumour. Three weeks after the marathon, I will undertake the challenge of my life and undergo an eight hour operation to remove as much as possible of my brain tumour, and thereafter undergo radiotherapy. Please, please help me with my fundraising for this extremely worthwhile cause. Thank you.
Challenge - Virgin London Marathon
by Amanda Valentine (mandeevee)
Before November 2006, I put all my energy into my three year old son, Nathan and his fight for survival. Nathan had a rare form of leukaemia and despite the gruelling treatment, he took everything doctors could throw at him with immense courage. He lost his fight two months short of his fourth birthday. I needed to continue the fight for my son and children like him, but I had to get fit first. I lost eight stone in two years and now I’m heading for the Virgin London Marathon in April, running for Children with Leukaemia, every mile for Nathan.
Challenge - Virgin London Marathon
by Philip Branigan (pib)
I am running on behalf of my 13 year old niece Emma, who has been diagnosed with FSGS and really hope that I can raise as much as possible to help research into her illness. Here is her story in her own words: My name's Emma and I've just turned 13, but I can't enjoy being a normal teenager. Last year, after being very ill, I was finally told that I have a very rare Kidney Disease called FSGS. Kidney Research is funding the research carried out by a charity called NeST, who are doing a study on FSGS.
Challenge - Bike4Buckers
Cycle coast to coast North America
by Christian Schneider (christian_ss)
In 2008 my friend Tom Buckley completed the coast to coast walk 150 mile in 18 days being terminally ill and raising £100,000. Following his death I will be completing my own coast to coast in his memory. I will cycle 3000 miles from New York to San Francisco over a period of 50 days. I will also be doing other challenges before I go which include the Virgin London marathon, 3 peaks challenge and Mount Elbrus - Europe's highest mountain. I hope to raise £10,000 by the time I am finished.
Challenge - 52.4 mile run
by Joe Addison (RRD)
Because I'm running 52.4 miles with no shoes on to raise money for visually impaired children. There isn't much else to say!
