An Appeal

I know it’s not too long since I was bugging you all for sponsors for the 10k midnight walk I did recently, but this time the challenge is much bigger. I’ve never personally relied on the hospice, but wanted to support the charity should I or my loved ones ever require it. However, Birmingham Children’s Hospital – the charity I’m participating in the BUPA Great Birmingham Run half-marathon for – has had a very profound effect on my life – indeed, I wouldn’t be here, writing this blog today if not for the people at BCH, which is why I really want to raise so much money for them. At three months old, I had a life-threatening illness, and without Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the past almost-eighteen years wouldn’t have happened and I wouldn’t be alive.

The hospital also made my brother’s last days comfortable for him and for all of us, and gave us some wonderful mementos and memories of him that will last forever and we’ll always cherish them. If I can help in any small way to help the hospital to provide the same service to the countless other families like us who pass through their doors every day, I’m going to – and I’d love it if you could all help me with this. I have a JustGiving page where I discuss my reasons in greater detail, but it’s going to be a big challenge to train myself to run 13 miles by October. My intention had been to run the Manchester 10k next year – much more achievable – but the Birmingham half marathon takes place on October 21st this year, what would have been my little brother Owain’s 15th birthday, and everything about it seems perfect.

http://www.justgiving.com/madison-matthews/eurl.axd/a1ab18fa3c6a834d8d8dcdbe029e06c9

Please, please sponsor me and help to raise money for this fantastic cause!

My next venture…

Despite everything going on this summer – my holiday and the three week summer school – the wait for Results Day is going to be a nervous one, and I need something to keep me occupied. I finally found something – and it’s for a great cause! The event itself isn’t until the 21st October – a date which is incredibly special to me, for reasons I’ll divulge later on when everything’s confirmed – but it’s the Great Birmingham Run, which I hope to be running for Birmingham Children’s Hospital – again, I’ll divulge my reasons at a later date.

It’s a half-marathon, which is going to mean a lot of training for me. So, it’s time to kick these kidney problems in the butt once and for all and get started on some serious training. First things first is actually learning how to run – I mean, I can do it, but I tire out really easily and my ankles don’t seem to like it very much. After that, long distance running. Once I’ve mastered the actual art of running, the long-distance part shouldn’t be too hard. If there’s one thing I pride myself on in sporting terms, it’s my perseverance – unless I’m in absolute agony, I’ll keep going, especially when it’s for a good cause.

So, stay tuned for further information, I’ll keep you all posted and rest assured, I will be harassing you all to sponsor me in the near future 😉