Raising funds for St John (UK) by a sponsored run in the "London marathon April 24". (All funds raised to St John UK)
Dunedin, Otago
I've been a volunteer for the Order of St John In New Zealand since 1985 (I joined when I was 16 years old) and continue to volunteer for the organization today - working unpaid as a Paramedic, mainly covering events but also working on the frontline as part of the Emergency Ambulance Service.
After my husband was diagnosed with blood cancer (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) I took up running, which helped me during the really tough times when life was pretty tough. I began to run events, such as the local half marathon & the (very) occasional marathon. As a runner, running the London Marathon is one of those "bucket list" events that you aspire to be a part of - and the opportunity to run in this iconic event at the same time as raising funds for the "original home" of St John was suggested by my husband. Not expecting to be selected as I filled out my application it was the most amazing surprise when Jordan emailed back to say my application had been successful!
My family, friends & work colleagues have been amazingly supportive & are delighted I can fulfil my dream of participating in such a special event - all while supporting St John which they know is an ongoing passion of mine!
I'm a member of St John in New Zealand. St John New Zealand originated from the English Branch of the Order Of St John.
St John is a leading first aid charity. Annually, more than 400,000 people learn how to save lives through training programmes & volunteers provide first aid in their communities. Thanks to them fewer lives will be lost needlessly. Raise money, save lives.
T minus 21 hours until start! 21 April 2024
Hi all
It's just on 2pm London time on Saturday April 20th & I've spent the morning at the annual (40th) Marathon Medicine seminar - which was really informative, with great speakers! I joked with the organising Professor that I should claim the CPD hours & ask for conference leave & reimbursement 😉
Getting more nervous but have decided there's little more I can do except ensure I know where I have to be at what time, and make sure I have the necessary stuff with me.
I'm so very grateful to all of you who have supported my fundraising efforts in order to enable my participation & fulfill a bucket-list dream of running an iconic marathon.
Next post hopefully will contain a finishers photo to share with you all (with me still upright 🤞 & mobile).
London really does embrace this event - 50,000 entrants do create a little bit of chaos & disruption even in a major city (thinking traffic jams & Road closures on steroids!), but that doesn't seem to bother most people.
Here we go........ 👍🏻
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.