<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Actions beyond words...</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">In 2010 colleagues, family and friends offered fantastic support when I took on the task of running the Berlin Marathon in memory of my Grandpa, Donald Pope DFC, who spent several decades serving with the RAF, most notably during WWII flying hundreds of hours of &ldquo;Pathfinder&rdquo; missions in Lancaster Bomber aircraft.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Sadly he passed away just weeks before my first Marathon.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">I am not a sentimental individual but as many of you who have lost a close relative will know, some leave behind a real legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is with this inspiration and motivation that I have decided to up the ante in 2012 and take on the challenge of running two Marathons in two consecutive&nbsp;weekends; Paris on 15 April and London on 22 April.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Many think this is a stupid idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I hope that notion will serve as motivation to relieve those &ldquo;many&rdquo; of a few hard earned pounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The beneficiary was an easy choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The RAF Association provides friendship and welfare support to serving and ex-serving members of the RAF and their families (people who dedicate their lives to their Country).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Each year they help tens of thousands of people by offering a wide range of welfare services that include home and hospital visits from a volunteer field force, short-term convalescent and respite breaks, sheltered housing, resettlement advice and advice on war pensions.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The RAF Association receives no Government funding and they are entirely dependant on the generosity of the public. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>It is for that reason my travel, accommodation and all other costs associated with participating in these events are coming out of my pocket (with the exception of entry into the&nbsp;London Marathon).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It is for the same reason I extend my sincerest thanks for you offering your financial support to RAF Association by giving as generously as you can, within your means.</span></p>