The Final Total!

Total Raised
£6000
A HUGE thank you to all who have contributed and helped along the way. Outstanding work!



The Story Behind The Run

The Story Behind The Run
Matt and Chris
The Story Behind The Run
On the 1st October 2009 Chris Taaffe's (28) life was literally turned upside down!

Chris was involved in a serious motorbike accident which left him in a coma for many weeks. He is a very good friend of mine and I, and his many friends, found this very hard to cope with especially as five or six weeks earlier he and I were canoeing in the Lake District blissfully unaware of what the future had in store.

Thanks to the rapid response of the East Anglian Air Ambulance he was given the best possible chance of surviving his horrific crash. The first 24 hours were crucial and everyone waited with baited breath to hear any news. It is impossible to imagine what his family went through that night. Chris was flown to Addenbrookes Critical Care Unit in Cambridge where he was given round-the-clock care and treatment by the best possible team of experts. He was there for a few months and then moved to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and then to the Colman centre for Specialist Neurological Rehabilitation. He is still there now and progressing well thanks to the amazing rehabilitation scheme and care that is in place for him.
I am writing this to ask for your help. I need to raise local support and awareness for my run in August/September from John o' Groats to Lands End to raise money for the three main organisations that helped get Chris through his ordeal. Without the expertly trained staff and medical teams involved in the organisation many people, including Chris, would die or have little chance of recovery. It's time to give something back.

I am an experienced runner having completed two London Marathons, I've also run Hadrian's wall (Newcastle to Carlisle) and now I plan to run the length of Britain to raise a significant amount of money to keep the Air Ambulance, Addenbrookes and the Colman Centre open for those suffering now and for those who may suffer in the future.

The run will be long, tough and emotions will run high but with your help and the help and determination of the six volunteers who are providing back up and planning, the goal will be achieved and we will raise many thousands of pounds to save lives...........................maybe even yours.

If you can help to promote or sponsor this worthy cause or provide funding towards the cost of the venture, I and my team will be very grateful indeed.

To donate please use the buttons on this page or send a cheque using the information provided.

Many many thanks

Matt

Job Done....

JOB DONE!
Monday 13th September at 12:19

Matt crossed the finish line at Land's End!

After 28.5 days and no days off!
He had a small deputation to greet him and was interviewed on radio Norfolk just before 1PM.



Friday, 10 September 2010

Friday 10th September- Okehampton here we come






11:00
Let's start with some Thanks
Thank you to Ellen at Selby House, Wellington, Taunton, for a lovely B+B and kind donation to the cause.......We recommend highly her B+B and friendly welcome, if you are ever in the area, this is the place to stay.

Thank you to Amanda, who booked and paid for the above B+B and ran with Matt yesterday.  She is thinking of doing the JOGLE challenge herself, we wish her a good trip.

Thank you to Dan and Kath (MM's brother and co) for a lovely night's sleep!  Haven't slept so well in ages......


Thank you to the man behind me in the same lay-by who just gave some money for the cause.....he is supporting a cyclist doing the same thing as us.....

Matt started running about 08:30 and has now covered approx 11 miles so far today. His leg is looking much better but the ups and downs of the hills are starting to play his knees up.  But...his head is down, his mind is focused and he's planning to finish on Monday evening.  We'll take a few pics then jump in the Landy and drive straight home......


21:30
Matt again did brilliantly today and covered 35 miles.  We are now on the A30.....the last road, and over the border into Cornwall, the last county. Just 77 miles to go...............just...Matt won't talk about 'getting closer' or 'nearly there now', until he crosses the line...then, and only then will he relax.

Dan, MM's brother joined him today after he'd been at work all day, and ran with him for 3 miles.....Well Done Dan.  Then he drove with us to our overnight stop to show us the way.  A good move, as I don't think we would have found it otherwise.  It's a beautiful old farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, with lovely quirky walls and floors. The kind of place I've dreamed about for years, but is a nightmare to decorate......but that doesn't matter because it all adds to the charm.  Thank you Daphne and David  (Matt's brother's in-laws) for inviting us into your home..(well me in particular).....eternally grateful.

Well, it's time for bed now....and sleep....if only I could stop coughing......always gets worse at night.........tomorrow's weather is looking good......Run Forest Run!!!
But before I nod off, here's a selection of photos from the last couple of days...... 


The loneliness of the long distance runner....
Spot the Hi Viz...


Devon cows off to milking........and some Devon hills....
Chocolate box villages.......and moody skies........
MM's new mascot.....the Meerpup..
Sunset over Taunton.........
And a cheer for the man himself!!

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1 comment:

  1. Sue Turner10 September 2010 at 15:23

    Glad all is going as well as it can for you both , and so pleased the end is in sight . Arrangements for saturday are under way with Deb's doing food and Colin entertainment so keep focused Matt and look forward to some leisure time on the 18th .

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