The Great Gordino Newsletter

Would You Be Kind Enough To Sponsor My Marathon...?

You'll be supporting *2* causes which have meaning for me

Hello!

My name is Gordon Bryan, and on April 13th 2008 I'll be running my 2nd marathon.

I'd like to ask you to sponsor me.

In 2007 I applied for the London Marathon to mark me hitting 40, but
didn't get a place.
That didn't stop me, and on the day of the London race I ran my own
marathon alone around my local streets, finishing in 5 hours 45 minutes.
I chose not to raise any sponsorship on that occasion, as I decided it
would be a bit strange since I wasn't in an official race!

For the 2008 race though, I got a place.
Since I got my place through the open ballot system, I am not obliged to
raise any money, but since it's an occasion which raises millions for many
causes, I thought I would - plus it makes all those months of training a
bit easier to cope with when you have a sponsorship idea to support!

I will be giving all your donations, minus paypal fees, to 2 causes, I won't
be taking a penny for myself.

Here are the causes...

The Charity MIND

MIND is a counselling charity, and it's one I have used personally.
When I was struck with depression in 2007, I was in a bad way, and
when the doctor recommended counselling as part of my treatment, he
then had to tell me there was a 6 month waiting list!

It's hard to describe depression unless you've experienced it, but believe
me I was not in any position to wait 6 months!
The doctor told me about MIND.
They offer fully qualified counsellors, and simply ask that you make a
donation of Ł5 if you can afford it at the end of every session.
It was a massive help for me when I really needed it, and it continues
to provide that help to others, run entirely on donations.

Here's the second cause we'll be supporting...

Developing my favourite sport of curling!

I took up the winter sport of curling in early 2006, and fell in love with
it straight away.
It's got a long heritage, and is based on fair play, gentlemanly conduct
and respect, all things which are sorely lacking in many areas of modern
life.

In England it is a niche sport, with zero government funding.
It relies on the few players trying to develop the sport by themselves,
and that's why I want to help.
Your money will go to the South of England Curling Club and will provide
funds for the developent of new players.

It's well known that sporting activity is good for the mind as well as
body, and it does no harm to get more people participating, particularly
in my country where school playing fields have been sold for superstore
carparks, and genuine competition in sport has been diluted so as not to
upset the kids!!

I aim to split your donation 50/50, half to MIND and half to curling.

I would like to ask for a minimum donation of $10.
If you'd like to donate more then please do so, and if you feel you can
only donate less, then that's more than welcome too!

Also, when you click the donate button, you have the option of typing
a note for me to see.
This means that if you want all your donation to go to MIND or to curling,
then tell me, and that's how I'll do it.
If not then I'll split it 50/50 as mentioned.

I'd really appreciate if if you felt you could sponsor me - my race number
is 4338, and on April 13th you'll be able to think of me hauling my old
bones for 26 miles around the centre of London and know that you've
helped 2 great causes!

Juts hit the Make A Donation button and fill in your amount.

Anyhow, I reckon that's about enough 'hard sell'.

Thanks and have a great day!

Huff and Puffingly yours,

Gordon Bryan
The Great Gordino
gordon@gordonbryan.com

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