I am 46, self-employed and happily married with 4 children, but I'm tired of simply struggling to survive. I'm ready to struggle to achieve something... I want to make much more of a contribution to the world around me in the second half of my life than I did in the first. My professional background has left me with few skills I can readily pass on to benefit those less fortunate than myself, and I have no political or financial muscle of any kind.
But, thank God, I can still run, and out of the blue for the first time, aged 45, I ran my first marathon (London, April 1997) and raised £4,400 for Oxfam. Many people responded very generously to my efforts; which made me start to think: if I could somehow multiply this initiative several times a year (there are plenty of marathons!) for the next 20 or even 30 years, and involve ever more people, I could stand a chance of achieving a goal which is ambitious, but which gives me a vital new sense of direction and purpose.
Can you help? I need charities to run for of course, I need one-off sponsors, I need referrals, I need publicity, I need runners, and I need access (1-2 minutes will do fine!) to captive audiences. Please print and return the FORM with any offer of help or advice, however small...
For my part, I will team up with other runners and each year raise funds for small, struggling charities that cannot afford 'Golden Bond' places in the major races. Moreover, each time we will put ALL the money towards one specific project which we will subsequently visit and report back on to all our supporters. This is a very personal way of making a difference.
Will you be a part of our unique team? You could be a vital link that could help carry our plan far and wide. (And you might be surprised how much you may gain from joining this initiative). Together we can move mountains, and achieve what seems impossible. For me this is a race against time: please help me not just to go for it, but to
Thanks a million...!
Ian Mursell