On November 2nd this year, I ran the New York Marathon in aid of The British Heart Foundation, and with the support of nearly two hundred people, including gift aid. have raised just over £6,000 for this great cause. I ran the marathon in a time of 4 hours 6 minutes, better than the 2006 London marathon by 13 minutes, still not what i was aiming for as a result of training problems (lack of salt!) the week before! All i wil say is that the last 6 miles were slow & painful! Still I have come back with lots of great memories and a quiet determination to do better next time! I chose BHF in memory of a very good and very old friend of mine, Simon Callaghan, who died suddenly of a eart attack in August last year a few weeks after our respective 50th birthdays. He seemed in good health to everyone but as it turned out was undergoing tests and was due at the hospital that day for the results. As you can imagine it came as a great shock. Simon and I went to the same schools together from the age of 4 right through to when we left at 18. It was in fact Simon that gave me the idea of studying accountancy at University so I guess I owe him my career as well as a long term friensdhip. Simon's family asked his friencds to donate to The British Heart Foundation to assist BHFin the fantastic work they do for people such as Simon who suffer from a heart condition as well as their families. Not only do they help fund and adopt specialist nurses to work in many areas, they provide training and support groups for patients and their families giving them the opportunity to meet others in a similar situation. They also provide support to carers and help relatives come to terms with a loved one dying. And their work doesn't stop here. I could go on forever about the great work they do. Even though I have finished this event, you can sitll donate if you wish. The website link to the BHF will allow you to sponsor me with minimun inconvenience and enable gift aid to be reclaimed on whatever you choose to give. I'll see and acknowledge the donations so thanks again in advance! If you want to support me but don't like making payments over the web, then a cheque is fine! Peter Taaffe
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