Thank you to A3 Sports!

I'd like to say a massive thank you to Beth Marr and all at the fantastic A3 Sports in Liphook.  Beth was the first to respond to my appeal for sports apparel/donations and immediately set about making a set of t-shirts advertising the "100 runs challenge" with the JDRF logo on both front and back.

These had been sent over a month ago, but didn't reach me.  I phoned Beth at the shop yesterday to let her know that the business had been given a plug in the article that appeared in Running Fitness magazine.  When I explained I hadn't received them, she promised to send me a couple in the post.  That she did.  They (five t-shirts) arrived this morning by special delivery and I'm really grateful to Beth for this.  Where many multi-national sports chains either didn't reply or said "no", the small Independent store in the village where I grew up decided my challenge was worth supporting.

Frank, Gaz and I will each wear one tomorrow at the Tameside 10K.

Visit their website at: www.a3sportsshop.co.uk/

The challenge reaches national media

As I motor towards that magic number 100, I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge some kind support that has been offered in the past week.

First of all, a work colleague, Paul Moult popped over to see me on my first day back in the office on Tuesday, and promptly presented me with a small plastic cup full of coins.  This was the proceeds of a cake sale he arranged on the spot whilst I was away, to test out the public's reaction to his wife Amanda's home-made cupcakes.  Paul brought in the cakes as a dry-run before selling a larger batch on the next extra dress down day they are holding to raise money for the JDRF on 14th September.  Amanda offered a variety of flavours: strawberry candy cake, chocolate orange and flying saucer with crackle candy butter cream.
They all sound very nice and I'd like to thank Amanda for donating the cakes - her website for this sideline is
www.incredible-edibles-rochdale.webeden.co.uk

I'd like to thank Gaz and Frank for another good set of runs, where the pace has been raised, and we'll get to see if this has had any effect on our performance this Sunday when we all will be competing in the Tameside 10K.  I'll be wearing the "Team Pingu" vest, of course.  Gaz had his cast removed today, to be replaced by a splint so he can perform in this Sunday's race and the Great North on the 18th.  I'll be dedicating this Sunday's race to Jane Grove and her Husband, who was recently diagnosed with T1 - more details on Sunday's blog entry.

Gaz, on the last run with that cast...

Many Thanks to Beth Marr at A3 Sports in Liphook, who had sent up a batch of her specially designed t-shirts (which somehow didn't reach me) so she is going to get a couple up to me in time for the GNR.  I'll drop her in something nice when we are down next week for my sister's wedding (getting excited!).

Lastly a big thank-you to Tina Chantrey, who picked up on my challenge and declared me an "Inspirational Runner", and dedicated a page on the challenge in the latest issue of "Running Fitness" magazine.  Thanks Tina - anything to raise awareness of JDRF and Type 1 Diabetes.  My dear old Mum rushed out to get a copy of the magazine and left a lovely message of support, and good old Dad has done a sterling job to spread the word of the challenge, which is very much appreciated.

Weds - 6.2 miles
Thurs - 6.7 miles
Fri - 6.3 miles

Onwards, and indeed upwards...

More support

Big thanks to Accelerate Running of Sheffield and Mountain Feet of Oldham for offering to upload links to my Justgiving page and this blog to their Facebook Pages - this is much appreciated.  Mountain Feet have also offered a discount in store, so again thanks for your support and kind emails back - they give me a boost!

http://www.accelerateuk.com/ and http://www.mountainfeet.co.uk/

One of the clothing companies I contacted also came back to me, albeit by letting me know just how much attention they paid to the original email I sent them.  After telling me how many requests they get and that they support many charities already, Sally from GORE UK signed off her communication with the line "Good luck with your bike ride".  This rattled me, because I think that the snappy challenge title (100 runs in 100 days) sort of gives a big clue as to what I will be doing.  Whilst I don't expect anything from anyone I've contacted, I appreciate a degree of courtesy, and GORE UK have so far demonstrated very little of this, which grates considering the good things I had read about their company and products - and the fact I have purchased, worn and endorsed their products in the past.  No matter.  The buzz I get after each run is the satisfaction of doing something I set out to do, and the kindness of others, in particular A3 Sports, Helly Hansen, Rainbow Running, Accelerate UK and Mountain Feet, as well as my justgiving donators are all good examples of this.

Thank you. 

Support comes from unlikely places

Last week, around the same time that I sent out the usual "begging" email to work colleagues and a link to my justgiving page to my facebook friends, I decided to approach major sports manufacturers and retailers as well as a a few small, independent businesses. I thought there would be a better take-up if I requested an item of merchandise rather than to outright as for money donations.  It's a mark of the times then, that the first one to respond, and pledge support should be from a small, family-run business based in a village in Hampshire.

A3 sports is run out of a small store in the centre of Liphook, the village where I grew up and lived for nearly twenty years - and where my Mum and Dad still live.  It was a shot in the dark that I should approach them to help me with my training in support for a plug in any press or media I undertake as the challenge progresses.

Beth Marr from A3 Sports sent me one of the nicest emails, pledging to design some t-shirts for me to wear - I'm most grateful and plan to take her in a bunch of flowers when I am next down visiting my parents at the end of July.  Their website is http://www.a3sports.co.uk/

I've also had a promise of some gear to keep me "cool, dry and warm" during the next couple of months whilst undertaking the runs.  Many Thanks to Helly Hansen, who have broken their "don't normally do this...you must understand the amount of requests we get...etc etc" rule to support me.  A parcel is on it's way to me from their depot in Holland, I'm told...

JJB Sports have said "No", however Mark, from their base in Chorley phoned and told of his experience with type 1 diabetes when his 10 year old son was diagnosed in January this year.  We have agreed to join forces and help each others' fundraising, sharing tips and best practice in managing Type-1 Diabetes.

It's getting interesting...