10 April 2012Simon says: “My multi marathon fundraising run for RNLI lifeboats will be my biggest challenge yet”
Simon Graydon from Kent is preparing for his biggest challenge yet. Simon from Walmer near Deal is going to run the equivalent distance of 9 marathons in 5 days and then a week later follow it up with the London marathon and all the time raising funds for the RNLI.
The 40 year old Head Teacher at the Learning Opportunities School in Ringwould is no stranger to endurance running and has in the past run several ultra marathons including a recent one of 53 miles that he completed in less than ten hours.
This year he is giving up most of his Easter holiday to take on this massive challenge which will push his body to the limit and require him to consume 7000 calories per day. Diet planning became of particular interest to Simon’s three year old, son Harry when he found out that jelly babies were going to play a significant part in sustaining his dad during his mammoth run.
Simon sets off from Gravesend on 11th April for five days of solid running. The planned route takes him from Gravesend to Brighton via another twelve lifeboat stations. Along the way he will be supported by his wife Catherine who, is also busy training, in order to support the RNLI by running the Brighton Marathon.
11th April – Gravesend to Whitstable – Simon’s first day starts at Gravesend Lifeboat Station and with a detour onto the Isle of Sheppey to visit Sheerness finishes at Whitstable Lifeboat Station.
12th April – Whitstable to Dover – Day two starts in Whitstable and Simon will head along the coast past Margate, Ramsgate, and Walmer lifeboat stations. The finishing post for the day will be Dover lifeboat station.
13th April – Dover to Hastings – The third day, after starting in Dover, he will then proceed down to the flat Romney Marsh stopping at Dungeness lifeboat. Simon will then cross into East Sussex and head towards Rye Harbour lifeboat station and finish at Hastings.
14th April – Hastings to Brighton – His last day of solo running and after starting in Hastings, Simon will visit Eastbourne and Newhaven lifeboat stations before finishing at Brighton.
15th April – Brighton Marathon – Simon and Catherine will both be running the 26 miles of the Brighton Marathon which takes place around the streets of Brighton ending on Madeira drive which is close to Brighton Pier. Showing his support for the RNLI Simon should be easy to spot as he will be donning his inflatable orange lifeboat costume for the run.
22nd April – London Marathon – After a well earned rest Simon will be heading to London to join the many thousands of other runners all taking part in the 2012 Virgin London Marathon.
Anyone wishing to support Simon can do so through his online fundraising page at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/sidandcathgraydon or he can be contacted directly by email sidgraydon@hotmail.com. During the run he will be using twitter @sidgraydon to give regular progress updates and would welcome anyone who wishes to join him for a while.
Simon describes his reasons for supporting the RNLI:
“Living by the coast it was a natural choice to raise funds for the RNLI as they provide a lifeline for the many local people who work and play on the sea. I am giving up a week of my time but the volunteer crew members give up so much more.”
Lou Purdy, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager said:
“It is amazing that Simon is going to undertake this challenge to raise funds for our lifeboat crew members who often face their own extreme challenges during call outs. I know Simon has been has been training hard and with his fundraising help we will ensure that South east lifeboat volunteers continue to receive essential lifesaving training.”
Report and Picture above by Martin Collins
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And now for our own Forumite Marathon Runner...the latest..
As you enjoy your Sunday morning lie-in on 22nd April, spare a thought for
Claire Jones who will be embarking on a 26.2 mile run around the nation's capital along with 36000 other runners, participating in the world-famous London Marathon. Claire will be raising funds for the Stroke Association.
Claire had a target of £2000 to raise that will go towards the work of the charity, and hit that on 7th April. "I am so grateful for all the support I have received so far, but I want to keep going with the fundraising and smash the target to smithereens!!" She is currently at £2032. Stroke is a brain attack and is the UK's third biggest killer and the leading cause of adult disability. The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with combating stroke in people of all ages including children. It funds research into prevention, treatment and better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services.
Claire has been training since before Christmas to run the 26.2 miles, running four times a week including long runs of up to 20 miles. It is her third time but she is determined that it will be her best, having overcome some difficult, hot conditions around the course in 2009 and 2011. It will also be the most special, because of her reasons for doing it this year.
Claire says:
"I am doing this for my Grandmother Lynne who suffered a very bad stroke in 2010 and has been left severely disabled by it. The Stroke Association provided our family with information and support. I want to give something back and I want my Grandmother to know that what happened to her wasn't in vain, that others will benefit from the funds that I can raise in honour of her."
If you would like to support Claire in her London Marathon Challenge, please visit www.justgiving.com/claire-j-jones to make a donation. You can also support Claire in other ways, by entering the sweepstake to guess her finish time or by coming along on a charity walk on 5th May. To find out more please call Claire on 07545777131 or email her on clairejjb@me.com. Further information on The Stroke Association can be obtained by contacting The Stroke Association on 020 7566 0300 or visit their webpage www.stroke.org.uk/
Picture shows Claire Jones in recent action. Picture copyright of Sussex Sports Photography.
See also the thread in our Forum http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=9591
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That amazing weekend event, The Grand Shaft Fundraising Climb at Western Heights, ( see our previous features in All Recent Features menu left), was completed in fine style by the three girls Tess, Kelly, and Sam. They did it 77 times, the equivalent distance needed to climb Mt Everest and raised tons of cash for the Western Heights Preservation Society. Full details and loads of pictures from all the guys in our forum..
click the direct link below....
http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=9327
...And check out too all our Springtime pictures by our ace forumites in this link below...
http://www.doverforum.com/letters/viewtopic.php?id=9578
For all previous frontpage features ....
see the All Recent Features link on the menu left, and of course... Dont Miss our topical Forum.
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