On 30 August 2015, myself and my colleague, Penny Horne, will be running the Norwich 10k, all in aid of charity.
I have been running for a number of years now, just generally to keep fit – but also because I really do enjoy it. In fact, I run most days but have always stuck to short distances, such as 5 or 6k. So entering the Norwich 10k has given me the opportunity to push myself and my boundaries, and training for that extra distance (and a few steep uphill runs) has been challenging.
Penny, on the other hand, had never been for a run. Although a regular gym goer – running was not something she enjoyed. So signing up to do the Run Norwich 10K is a massive challenge. Starting off with a gentle 3k run a couple of times a week, which was pretty tough – but has now just completed her first 8k run, and now has the confidence and determination to complete this challenge.
I have chosen to run for Medical Detection Dogs. Medical Detection Dogs are a charity that works in partnership with researchers, NHS Trusts and Universities, aiming to train specialist dogs to detect the odour of human disease. Dogs are renowned for their sense of smell. Cancer cells release small amounts of volatile substances. Their Cancer Detection Dogs are being trained to detect these volatiles and the hope is that this work and research will enable scientists to develop an early cancer screening system.
You may have seen on Good Morning Britain last week a lady whose dog detected an odour in her breath. Her dog was constantly getting uncomfortably close to her face. She went to see her GP and was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer. Luckily, and thankfully due to the dog detecting this odour, it was caught early enough.
The Medical Alert Assistance Dogs are trained to assist individuals who manage complex medical conditions on a day to day basis, such as diabetes, seizures, convulsions and unconsciousness, narcolepsy and severe allergies. Medical Alert Assistance Dogs are taught to identify the odour changes that are associated with these medical events. For more information about Medical Detection Dogs, visit http://medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/.
Penny has decided to run for Break Charity. They are a local charity who help with support of vulnerable children, young people and families. They provide specialist residential and community based services across East Anglia. They also provide a children’s home and two short break experiences for children with disabilities. In addition to the mainstream homes Break also has a children’s home for young people with profound learning and physical disabilities. Penny has seen how valuable this service has been. A close friend’s family reached breaking point when caring for their profoundly disabled son became too much. Break provided much needed respite to the family via their short break experiences. For further information about the services that Break offer, please visit http://www.break-charity.org/.
So, if you would like to help myself and Penny raise as much money as possible for these great charities, please visit our Just Giving pages as follows:
Charli Thomas: https://www.justgiving.com/Charli-Thomas23/
Penny Horne: https://www.justgiving.com/Penny-Horne-Norwich/
Thanks….and wish us luck.
