2007 - July

[Sweder]

JDRF held their annual gong-fest for the great and the good last night, hosted by the wonderful people at Lloyds/ LDC. The LDC team of eight runners scooped the top award after their fund-raising effort for our London Marathon campaign topped out at (gulp) eighty thousand pounds. Staggering stuff.

Three highlights of the night for our own group here.
First up an award for Running Commentary for another year of valuable support, promotion and forum facilitation for our runners. The certificate (see pic below) is winging it's way to Andy via the (hopefully not striking) mail; I took care of the bubbly on his behalf (hic).

Next an award for the Mighty Seafront Plodder for his stirling seven hours plus yelling at the mile 22.5 supporters zone at the FLM. The man's a star performer; the sight of him looming over the railings to bellow encouragement has left an indelible mark (scar?) on many of our runners.

Last but not least an award for the wonderful Adele Claase and her Challenge Events Committee. JDRFi - the parent group in the States running over 80 national and international chapters - held their annual review in St Louis last month. Our humble group left the gathered celebs slack-jawed by running off with the Innovation in Fund Raising Award in recognition of our expanded London Marathon team, addition of new events such as sky diving, Cycle the Nile, London to Paris Bike Ride and the Inca Trail/ Great Wall treks.

Thanks again to everyone who supported us in the last 12 months.
We're off now to plan our campaign for 2008 which will include a bike ride through India . . . http://www.jdrf.org.uk