Ok guys so im thinking about doing a sponserd run for a local charity. at the moment i am serverly unfit and can manage about 300 yards running before becoming out of breath and having to stop, i know this is really really bad.

so im going to be starting training soon and hope to be able to complete a 10 miles run some time early next year.

what local charities are there and which do you think is most needy?

I wanted to do the London Marathon next year for Macmillan, but entries have closed now

What about the Scottish Half Marathon? I fancy doing that

Theres loads of local charities, but macmillan would be my first choice as I have seen, heard and know the difference they make and really help support people, not just financially, but in many other ways.

Let me know if you fancy doing the Scottish Half Marathon

What distance is it mate? and when is it? i would be intrested but a doctor has advised me to ease myself into training so im basically going from a couch potato to running 10 miles plus in the quickest time possible i start my traning money coming.

just had a look if its the 10k one my traning plan should be having me running that in approx 9 weeks.

It would be good to keep it local. Claire House springs to mind, I know they have had quite a big drop in donations the last year or so.

Well done, you!!- got a good incentive. Homeless charities for me, or wirral mind.

Yeah thats the one that immediatly sprung to mind for me too.

i will probably go for that one

It's difficult because Claire House has got a reasonably high profile (probably nationwide) so although they are struggling there are lesser known ones that need the help as much, if not more.

Yeah, its as suggested, half marathon - 13.1 miles

The one in Edinburgh is on Sunday 18th April 2010, so plenty of time to train.

Im probably best asking around my family and close freinds if there is any close to heart to them they would like me to do it for.

joe that sound like an idea. i will definatly let you know when does applications close?

28th March 2010


http://www.q-buster.co.uk/index.php?rn=464&action=show_detail

Macmillan would be a very worthy choice, when my Father in law was dying of cancer the Macmillan nurse that helped him made a world of a difference, she was the nearest thing to an Angel I've ever met, so you would definitely have my support on that one.

They always do

I think you will actually find that most Macmillan nurses, are actually funded by the NHS, the charity only funds them for a few years. And all they are really doing, is leeching nurses from the general scope of the NHS (though they are still employed by the NHS) and putting them into a specialist role whilst paying them a higher wage - they are merely doing the job they are getting paid to do, so why are they special??

Btw, as a former 100m/200m sprinter and cross country runner for Wirral at junior levelfrom the age of about 7 (until I had my second heart operation at 14), a marathon isnt something that you just decide to do on the spare of the moment, you need to specifically train and prepare both physically and mentally for it. Most people, even if you think you are relatively fit, will feel like dying and give up after 3 - 5 miles, nevermind 26 miles. I did consider taking up running again ater a few years of laziness and of course a not-so-healthy lifestyle, when I was 18/19 and used to run from Thurstaston to West Kirby and back (along the Wirral Way) 3 mornings a week, thats about 6 miles in total give or take and even I found it a challenge.

Let`s face it, everyone has had someone they know lose a fight with cancer. Even if it`s a 2nd cousin twice removed from their great grandads side. Macmillans are blooming marvelous but so is Claire house. Why not split and do it for a cppl of charities if you can`t make ur mind up. I really admire you for this effort. A few years ago my partner did an abseil for the baby garden because it was close to our hearts. Next year I`m hoping to do the race for life. Good luck with whatever you chose. Just go with your heart.

What ive never understood is why people always feel the need to do sponsored things for charity. Ive given money to 7 charities by DD (including Cancer Research, BHF, RSPCA and Oxfam) since I got my first pay packet and now through my business as well as personally.

It's only £2 - £3 per month to each charity which is what they ask for, hardly breaking the bank and not a great deal of money, but its my way of giving something back to the world.

If we all gave £1 per month to 10 charities, imagine how much more work these charities could do! But I guess with a tenner, most people would rather have a couple of Macdonalds or pop down the pub for a few hours!!

because you feel the physical effort u put in instead of just donating a few quid. If you feel that strong for a charity you want to do whatever it takes. You get it. You want the feeling you have earned the money to donate. If you feel that strong towards a charity you WANT to make a difference not just say `yeah ok, that`s a gud cause`.To feel like you`ve helped instead of putting coppers in a donation box.

So volunteer then, I have done in the past to help at fundraising events etc, most charities are pleased of any and all help they can get at ground level.

Doing a run doesnt achieve anything for a charity (if we take the Macmillan charity for instance, all the running in the world won't fund a nurse for the few years they pay him/her), giving them money can most certainly assist them to move towards and fulfil their objectives and aspirations!!

I you felt that strong about a charity, you would give your own hard-earned wages to it, not rely on someone elses. Do a day's overtime and donate the money you earn. You would do without that annual holiday, because you know the money would be better used by the charity you so love. You would do without that gym membership, because you know you can keep fit in other ways, whilst the charity you love can move towards achieving their goals with the money.

Im not overly passionate about any of the specific charities I support financially, however they all mean something to me personally in one way or another, and I am passionate about charity in general and believe it is only right that we should give something back to the world.

yeah but it makes us feel better. Donating money just doesn`t feel enough sometimes. Making an extra effort to do something physical can make us feel good making the money. The feel good factor comes into it. Setting yourself a goal and doing it for a good cause. If you feel that passionate about something, just giving a handout isn`t enough. You physically want to take the challenge on. You haven`t got the scientific know how or the million pounds to find a cure but to put in the effort for something you believe in is amazing. You can carry on being a donator. That`s fine because that helps too but some people find the physical tasks just as rewarding and helps them to feel like they are donating more, like their own time , effort.

I guess im just of the thinking if we all gave a little to these charities on a regular basis financially it would make such a difference. I guess the problem with that idea is, there is so many charities to choose from, all (well most, housing associations for instance, are for some bizarre reason charities lol) of which are as important as each other and make a difference to different people and in different ways.

But there are far too many people who simply give nothing financially

Giving a little to alot goes a mile, but sometimes you feel the need to get behind something you have no control over. You want to do `something`. Anything. And if that means running/abseiling/sitting in a bath of jelly, you will do it.

Matt i think your being abit harsh there. in regards to your first post i havent just decided to do this as a spare of the moment thing. ive been meaning to start running for a while but ive never had a goal to aim for so i just get bored after 20 minutes round the block and then end up back at home for 8 weeks eating shit food and generally not getting any excersize. i thought if set myself a goal. like run a good half marathon in 6/7 months time it would give me alot of time to prepare. and gives me a reason to stick with it. with regards to the charites and donating regular. if i ever have a few quid spare in my account it goes to charity but at the moment im in a low paid job where im lucky if i can cover my bills at the end of the week so we cant all afford to give to charity on a regular basis. your basically having a go at people who want to give something back and for someone like me a half marathon would be a massive challenge and i feel is a good way to give me something to aim for and if i can earn a local charity a few quid in the process then why not?

There's nothing wrong with having aspirations and setting goals and if this helps you achieve some good for the sake of a charity then that can only be applauded. If when the time comes and your not ready for a half marathon there are always smaller races to take part in and people will still support you. Its more down to, at least you are doing something rather than what your doing, Good luck in your endeavours.

I wish you the best of luck Deadmau5. Go for it.

You don't have to win the race, you've only got to complete it,
first or last past the line you've won your goal, and get to collect to finnish race monies for local Chairity?

take my hat off to you mate

You could consider the Wirral's very own RSPCA. I do the Coastal Walk every year for them.

There is also the lesser known charity 'Paul Wirral Alcohol Fund'. Very worthy cause!

Good luck with your 'training'.