I am fundraising for TOFs charity (https://tofs.org.uk/) to help provide support to parents, families and TOF children who manage their condition from birth with advice when needed. It is in its 40th year and we were not really aware of it when I was growing up as it was in its infancy and became a registered charity from 1987 (35 years ago). This charity is close to me as I was born 6 weeks early with my twin brother and I weighed only just over 2lbs (1kg!) with OA and TOF.
As most of you will know this is not my first marathon but will be my first marathon since I had a very serious grade 4 stress fracture of the femoral neck of the hip in October 2019. London marathon is an amazing event in its own right but this will feel more special than it may have in the past for me personally.
Saying it has been a slow and steady recovery is an understatement. I was on crutches for 10 months with no weight bearing and minimal movement. It was a further 3 months until I could start any form of jogging. I started with 1min jog and 1min walk only and gradually built up towards 5km, 10km and then half marathon distance.
I have been fortunate (and rather stubborn) to avoid surgery and now focus on more regular strength exercises and maintaining my calcium intake (lots of cheese!).
My goal has been to get back to marathon distance and what better motivation than to raise money for TOFS, a charity close to my heart that receives no official government funding and does such great work educating and supporting others.
I would really appreciate any donation you can give and of course it would be great to see you supporting on the day if you fancy a day out in London on Sunday October 2nd.
Andrew
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