The 4th October marks my 21st birthday and by a miraculous happening of fate I share my birthday with my best friend Katie Thorburn. In the years past we have celebrated together with exciting parties we would plan: my favourite involving a bouncy castle and fancy dress. As the majority of people are aware, Katie passed away in April 2014 from a rare form of bone cancer. The prospect of celebrating our birthday in her absence is deeply saddening and because I will miss out on celebrating this momentous day dancing and drinking champagne with Katie I have decided  to mark the occasion through other means. It is for this reason I will be raising money for the charities which helped Katie whilst she was battling cancer.

Whilst Katie was ill she set up a charity called The Katie Thorburn Foundation. Katie’s Foundation has continued to raise money following her death - in order to not only ensure Katie’s selfless legacy continues, but to give other people battling cancer the best chance of beating this horrible illness. So far the Foundation has collectively raised over £82,000 through many successful fundraising events over the years and I hope this one won't fall short of the success we have managed in the past. The foundation splits the proceedings and donates to the charities which supported Katie most throughout her illness.

The charities are:

Clic Sargent: https://www.clicsargent.org.uk/content/who-we-are

Macmillan: https://www.macmillan.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/our-ambition#245134

The Little Princess Trust: http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/what-we-do/

When You Wish Upon A Star: https://www.whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk/about/

In order to raise money for the foundation I am going to complete a Triathlon (to be specific the Hampton Pool Triathlon, if anyone would like more details.) The Triathlon consists of a 400m swim transitioning to a 20k cycle and completed with a 5k run. As a complete novice in the Triathlon field or any kind of -athlon field for that matter, this is going to be quite the challenge for me. The Triathlon is on the 6th May*, so I think around now might be a good time for me to sign up for a gym membership and start training!!

Any sponsors would be greatly appreciated, even if it is only a few pounds it all makes such a difference. I’m going to set a goal of £500, which may seem a high goal, but I’m determined to raise a significant amount of money in order to mark such a momentous birthday! My justgiving page is linked and I’d appreciate anything you can give!

*** The Foundation splits it’s donations between four different charities and the proceedings from this fundraiser will be going to When You Wish Upon A Star.

*The triathlon I am participating in has changed due to the original event being reorganised to the date of my Dissertation hand in. The current triathlon is the same distance as the previous.