Sponsor a Marathon Runner!
On 13th April up to 46,500 brave people will be taking to the streets to run this year's Flora London Marathon. Among them are five runners committed to raising funds to support RAPt's work.
Adam Starr
Adam Starr is a student at the University of Birmingham studying mechanical engineering
"When I mentioned to my friend Kevin that I would like to run the marathon one day, he said yeah why not I'll do it with you, that's where it all started! I've been training steadily running as much as possible when it's not too cold. I've also been playing squash whenever possible so my knees are going be knackered! I may have to crawl across the finish line, but I can't wait for the feeling of achievement for completing the marathon while also raising money for charity - it will make all the running worth while. The work done by RAPt is an important step in helping people recover and get over their addictions so I'm glad to be raising money to help."
Sponsor Adam: http://www.justgiving.com/adamstarr
Sam Lockwood
Sam Lockwood is a hairdresser and lives in Buckingham
"This will be my second marathon run, but it's still a pretty scary prospect. My first marathon was just to see if I could do it, this time it's nice to be able to use what I have learnt to raise money for a good cause. A friend of mine works for RAPt and it's been interesting to learn about how it works. I like the idea that the root causes of peoples' trouble can be addressed rather than simply papering over the cracks in dealing with their immediate situation. The trouble with preparing for a spring marathon is all the winter training; early one morning I tripped over a pile of bin liners in the dark, slipped on some ice and got savaged by a rather angry little dog -- all in the same day!"
Sponsor Sam: http://www.justgiving.com/samlockwood
Andrew Cowan
Andrew Cowan is an Art Director at a creative agency in West London, he lives in West Sussex
"I run marathons regularly - 1982, 1992, 2002, so almost every 10 years! This will be my fourth, and I plan to wear really good running shoes, not the old-school plimsolls I wore in 1982! RAPt is one of those causes that gets easily over-shadowed by the bigger charities, so I think it's a sound idea to give them my support. While I'll have a great, but painful, day on 13th April, I'm extremely pleased to be helping those who really need it. I know people who were in prison briefly for drug related crimes and they are now very well respected family and business people and I hope I can help others to follow that example."
Sponsor Andrew: http://www.justgiving.com/andrewcowan2
Hatty Graham-Campbell
Hatty Graham-Campbell works at an estate agency, she lives in Hertfordshire with her six year old daughter and two chickens.
"RAPt is a brilliant charity and I'm so pleased to be running for them. My daughter Izzy is so pleased her Mum is running the marathon! Training is going well; I've been seriously pounding the pavements in preparation for crossing the finish line in my goal time of under five hours. It's not as easy as I thought finding the time to train between work and being a single Mum! My i-pod is my new best friend; I'll need it to keep me smiling for 26 long miles."
Sponsor Hatty: http://www.justgiving.com/hattygrahamcampbell
Kevin Stevens
Kevin Stevens is a fourth year masters student at the University of Birmingham studying mechanical engineering.
"This is my first marathon - it's something I have always wanted to do - I've just never had the motivation to do it. Over a conversation in a pub, my friend Adam and I decided to go for it, so here I am. My sister recently joined RAPt and works at HMP Bullingdon, so I know about all the good work being done. I'm training hard for the marathon, so make sure you look out for me on the day, I'll be the one on the floor, dying of exhaustion half way round!"
Sponsor Kevin: http://www.justgiving.com/kevinstevens9