I’ve written many times this year about the first person who committed to sponsoring my 2013 mile challenge. That man was my step-dad who sadly passed away on 14 November.
Known to many simply as Digger, he was my mums partner for more than 16 years, my kids Grandad Digger and my mate. This larger than life man made me feel part of his family the very first time I met him and has been there for me over the last 16 years, through good times and bad.
Like my dad, Digger also ran in the Southampton Half-Marathon back in the 1980s. In memory of him I ran a half-marathon through Southampton last weekend and was sure to run over the Itchen Bridge as Digger told me many times how he found that the hardest part of the race.
Digger was one of life’s special characters and will be missed by so many. Rest in peace.
2013 Miles in 2013
This year I am trying to complete 2013 miles self-powered miles. It is has been 10 years since my cousin’s son Adam lost his fight with Cystic Fibrosis. Adam was just 18 years old when when he lost his lifelong battle with CF, the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited disease. Despite spending large parts of his short life in hospital Adam never once complained, not even of a headache and was determined to make the most of everyday.
My 2013 miles in 2013 challenge is in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as I have been surprised since I started fundraising for the CF Trust just how many people are unaware of this disease and so I hope my efforts will not just raise money, but also awareness of the UK’s most most common life-threatening inherited disease.
As soon as I told Digger about the challenge he offered to sponsor me 1p per mile (£20.13 in total).
2013 Miles in 2013 – The rules
The rules for my 2013 miles in 2013 challenge are quite simple:
- All miles must be completely self powered (no motors, sails, etc)
- I must be able to evidence all miles, either via GPS or with a picture of any static gym equipment
- To complete my 2013 miles I will be running, cycling, rowing and who knows, I might even try a few other self powered methods along the way.
