CJD Marathon
Walk Completed!
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
(CJD) is a rare and fatal condition that affects the brain. It causes brain
damage that worsens over time. Most people with CJD die within a year of the
symptoms starting
London Gas started
fundraising for the CJD Support Network in 2010 following the death of a long
time member, Julian Bailey from the disease February 2010.
This year we decided to walk
the London Marathon Route
to raise funds for the network. It seemed appropriate to do this being London Gas but also
because Julian was a regular marathon runner. Myself and Kevin MacKenzie
decided to set up our team web page, Julians Rovers, on Just Giving, and we
were soon joined by Steve Forbes, a long-time friend of Julian based in Bristol and Bristol Rovers
Director, Ken Masters to make a team of four.
We decided to walk the
marathon route on Saturday 27th July and then set about some
practice walks to get our legs used to distance walking. Following walks of
various lengths between 10 and 22 miles, and a lot of emailing, tweeting and
Facebooking to raise sponsorship for our walk, we met and Blackheath Common for
the walk.
We were given good send off
at the start by Julians wife, Jeanie and their son Tom, daughter Lucy and
friends. They also cheered us on at Cutty Sark, and we had some family, friends
and some London Gas meet us along the way and walk with us for part of the
route.
We completed the 26.2 mile route
on The Mall in 8.5 hours and adjourned to a local pub consume that well known remedy
for sore feet and aching legs. Cider.
It was a memorable way to
raise funds for a charity that is completely reliant on donations to carry out
their important work, and also remember Julian who was a top bloke and a
Gashead for over 50 years.
We are still looking for
sponsors and you can donate on our Just Giving page.
