April 16 - The Virgin London Marathon: running for Arthritis Care

The Virgin London Marathon is the largest charity fundraising event on the planet according to its organisers. On 21^st April thousands of people will run to raise money for charities close to their hearts. Arthritis Care and one of their fundraisers have kindly agreed to guest blog for Ostrich to share their reasons for running a marathon and help raise awareness of arthritis and of the work done by Arthritis Care:

Raising awareness of arthritis

Around 10 million people in the UK suffer from arthritis; there are many different forms with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis being the two most common types. One of the main misconceptions about arthritis is that it is an older person’s condition when in fact 27,000 children and young people are affected. Arthritis Care is working hard to raise the awareness of the occurrence of arthritis in young people and is the UK’s largest charity working with and for people with arthritis.

Tim Jerret’s story: running against arthritis

Tim Jerret is running the Virgin London Marathon for Arthritis Care on April 21^st 2013, here is his story:

Getting prepared for running a marathon

“I had always dreamed of completing the London Marathon but didn’t know it would be achievable but I joined a gym in 2011 and really got into running. I was soon able to run 10k which I couldn’t believe. However when I attempted to do the same outside, away from the treadmill, this was a different story and proved much harder to my shock and confusion. After working on running outside more than the treadmill over time I began to work up to the 10k and decided over Christmas I was going to go for the London Marathon the next year. I had been working hard running outside and felt more confident so in February I set myself a few goals and booked on to a 10k and then a half marathon.

Joining Arthritis Care

When I was looking into entering the London Marathon I realised this wouldn’t be so easy with the entrants much outweighing the ballot places each year. I always knew that I would run the London Marathon for a charity and when I came across Arthritis Care I emailed straight away to see if I could get on the team. After I completed both the 10k and half marathon I got a call from Arthritis Care offering me a place, I was so happy I shouted ‘YES’ immediately my chance to not only achieve my biggest challenge but also to do this for a charity that meant so much for me.

Pushing your boundaries

My only concern was how I would raise the minimum sponsorship required to take one of their charity places. Over the next six months I trained hard, four times a week, through the winter weather and was covering from 13-44 miles per week! The experience of adapting my body to cover these distances and a chance to say ‘I did it all on my own’ is brilliant but to think that people such as my wife are going to benefit from my efforts make it all the more worthwhile.

Raising awareness

Through the events I have also tried to raise as much awareness of arthritis and the great work Arthritis Care does and was shocked by how many people hadn’t heard of them before. I have done a radio interview, newspaper article, church talks and information days among the various car washes and collection days alongside my training for the London Marathon.

Running for a loved one

My main inspiration to complete the London Marathon for Arthritis Care is my wife who has unfortunately had arthritis since she was 17. She sadly now needs a wheelchair permanently and has been decreasing in health over the last few years, since I met her I have tried to adapt as much as possible to her as much as I possibly can. It is extremely sad to see your loved one in so much pain and discomfort but I have been her full time carer for the past few years and look after her the best I can so she can have the best possible life despite her condition. My work has been very understanding with my choice and let me dramatically cut my hours and work only morning only shifts when my wife, Donna, is mainly asleep. This is great for me because I can get out and go to work and chat to others and to the customers of the hotel I work in.”

If you would like to sponsor Tim please go to his fundraising page.

How can Arthritis Care help you?

Arthritis Care provides clear and accurate information about arthritis and has the UK’s only Helplines team of qualified counsellors dedicated to arthritis, taking over 200 calls each week. This confidential service is free of charge and is open 10am-4pm weekdays on 0808 800 4050 or by email at [email protected]. There is also a forum on the website where you can talk to one of these counsellors and other arthritis suffers and can contribute your own views and experience.

Arthritis Care have a range of information booklets that are available to download or order from the website. Arthritis Care also organises self-management courses throughout the UK to help people manage their condition.

There are over 180 Arthritis Care branches throughout the UK providing a great way for arthritis sufferers to meet and mix with people who understand what they are going through. Call 020 7830 6545 to find a branch near you or become a postal member.

Arthritis Care has a team running the Virgin London Marathon raising money to fund this vital work. If you’d like to help please email [email protected] or check out the different events you can take part in.

Arthritis Care Week 2013 is 13^th-19^th May and Arthritis Care are doing collections at Waterloo Station in London on Friday 17^th May - if anyone in the area would like to volunteer for a couple of hours on this day please email [email protected].