Worcestershire Triple - This time it’s for cash!

Triple Madness

After doing nothing particularly insane since last July’s triathlon, I figured that in 2012 I needed to re-engage with the inner loony and do something special to honour the London Olympics. 

So earlier in the year I took the plunge and entered my first marathon. Not a big city marathon (mores the pity) but the inaugural Worcester Marathon. Not content with that I also entered the full Olympic distance Upton triathlon and I couldn’t miss my annual 10k outing in the small Worcestershire Village of Crowle. 

So in the matter of a couple of cold January weeks I had committed myself to three events all before Usain Bolt had book his flight to London for a couple of 10s cameo jogs in East London in August.

Given that level of insanity I reckon that it is only right and proper that I raise some cash in these credit-crunched days for a couple of really worthwhile causes that do not usually appear on the logo-ed running vests at most big charity races. 

 

Both of my chosen charities work with children and their families suffering from forms of auto-immune inflammatory diseases; Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and uveitis. This is very close to my heart since both of my children have experienced these conditions.

 

Arthritis is not just a disease of old people.

 

Unfortunately about one in a thousand children in the United Kingdom suffer from Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Uveitis means inflammation of the uvea, the inside of the eye and up to 80% of childhood uveitis cases are linked to pre-existing or yet to be diagnosed JIA. 

 

Being diagnosed with Uveitis and/or JIA is bewildering for children and parents alike. Believe me. I’ve been there. Most of us have never heard of these diseases until the day a doctor tells us that we have one of them. It takes some time to understand what is happening; that in many cases, your child’s immune system, something in part donated by us parents to our offspring, seems to have taken leave of its senses and attacked our children’s joints and eyes. Both conditions can strike at any age, and take one of several forms, but what is similar about the disease, is the pain and frustration that affects the child, and the feeling of disbelief that affects the whole family.  

The Good Causes

The Children’s Chronic Arthritis Association (CCAA) is the leading charity run by parents and professionals to provide help and information for children with arthritis, their families and professionals involved in their care. They offer emotional and practical support to maximise choices and opportunities and raise awareness of childhood arthritis in the community.

Olivia’s Vision provides a voice for uveitis sufferers to be heard and takes action on behalf of every uveitis patient, campaigning to prevent avoidable sight loss, and fund raising to support research into the causes, treatment and potential cure of uveitis.

So this spring while you are all laughing at my ongoing Canute-like battle with middle age, help me to help these two unsung charitable organisations that are doing their bit to ensure children with arthritis and uveitis have, in turn, their future chance to do insane things in their middle age.

Please sponsor me at my Virgin Money giving page and why not triple up the donation:

Worcester Marathon 15^th April 2012 (target 4:30);

Crowle 10k 13^th May 2012 (target a PB);

Upton Triathlon 14^th July 2012 (target 3:10).

Performance Bonus

 

Why not give me a reason to beat my targets by offering a performance bonus (cash only, no shares)? A proper reason to beat proper targets.

I’ll let you know how things are going and follow the training via twitter @aastill.

Time to train!