Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to visit this page. I have set it up in memory of my amazing husband, Tim McCarthy, who as you may know, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday 30 July 2009. I know Tim was in his element when he died, racing around Brands Hatch race track without a care in the world. He loved his bike and everything to do with motorcycling and I can almost hear him whooping as he raced around the track. I think he wanted to get his knee down on Thursday night, something I've since found out he would have got into trouble for - typical Tim! He described riding his bike as a flow experience, something I don't think I've experienced but I hope one day I can experience my own flow as he made it sound like the best feeling ever.

Tim was my whole world and the world was Tim's. Anyone who knew Tim well will know how he embraced life and took on so many challenges; from digeridoo lessons, to guitar playing... and marathon running, and sound engineering, and whisky drinking (he had three different bottles on the go!), and walking, and golf, and snowboarding, and so many other hobbies and interests that I haven't got time to list here. He never stood still and he put his all into everything he tried. He was passionate and dedicated and he was certainly an inspiration to me - looking back I just don't know how he squeezed so much into each day. I will strive every day to follow his lead and only wish I had done so while Tim was here. As well as hopefully raising some money for this worthwhile charity, one of the causes Tim supported, I hope that some of you will take your own inspiration from Tim and his achievements. It has only just been pointed out to me that Tim lists his favourite quotation on Facebook as 'You only live once!' so let's all take what we can from that and make the most of every single second of each day. That would please Tim.

I don't want to go on too much about what Tim meant to me. He was my best friend and soul mate and I have so many happy memories of the thirteen years we shared together. Some of you will also have your own memories and they will never leave us. But I also wanted to tell you that Tim was a blood donor and an organ donor. I'm still waiting for confirmation of the final details but I have been told that Tim has hopefully helped at least three people to have life-saving transplants over the past few days. Tim's liver has gone to one and possible two people (as the liver can regenerate itself), one kidney to one patient and the other kidney and his pancreas together to another patient. His heart was damaged during the trauma he sustained but I'm hoping that his heart valves will help a small child and that his skin and bone can also be used by people who need them.

I know it would mean a lot to Tim if as a result of this tragic accident those of you who are able to, sign up to be blood and/or organ donors. What happened to Tim has made me realise that you just never know when you might need the help of some generous soul like Tim. Even if you can't afford to donate any money to Médecins Sans Frontières today, blood and organ donation costs you nothing but is worth its weight in gold to the people that benefit from it. You can register to be a blood donor at: http://www.blood.co.uk/ and to be an organ donor at http://www.uktransplant.org.uk 

Finally, I've been asking people to raise a glass to Tim next time they have a drink. He would approve of that and it seems like a fitting way to thank him for being him and the truly incredible legacy he will leave.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Sarah X

Transplant update Since creating this page I have had confirmation that a 40-year old man is making a slow recovery after a life-saving kidney and pancreas transplant, a 33-year old man is free of dialysis and recovering at home after receiving Tim's other kidney, a 70-year old man is at home recovering after receiving half of Tim's liver and a 3-year old little boy, his parent's only child, is recovering in hospital after receiving the other half of Tim's liver. I am still waiting to hear about how Tim's heart valves were used and they also took skin, bone and tendons to help people that need them. I hope this inspires you to sign up to the organ donor register.

Latest transplant news I heard from the transplant co-ordinator yesterday and sadly the 40-year old man who received Tim's kidney and pancreas has died. This wasn't as a result of the transplant but from problems caused by his diabetes. My thoughts are with his family. The other patients are all recovering really well.

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Marathon Man Our dear friend, Rich Cox, is running his first ever marathon in York on 20 October and has chosen to run in Tim's memory to help raise money for MSF. Tim would be so proud of you Rich and, as you said, it's just a shame he's not here to run it with you. But he'll be there in spirit, I just know it. A huge thank you on behalf of Rich for your sponsorship; it means a lot to a great many people.

(And as if your sponsorship was not enough, I'm going to do one final plug: if you're not already, please also consider signing up to the organ donor register. My husband Tim was an organ donor. When he was killed in a motorcycle accident four years ago, his organs were used to give four people a chance of life.) 

Thank you, Sarah x

I'm running the Great North Run again Having deferred for the past two years, this is the year that I'm going to take on the challenge once again. An ongoing knee injury is likely to mean I'm not going to be up there on the podium with Mo, but I'll get round. I'm doing this for me - my 14km run today had me experiencing the 'flow' that Tim so enjoyed, and I've enjoyed my training immensely - but I'm also doing this for MSF and the people they are helping in Syria, and elsewhere. And I am, of course, doing it for Tim - my North Star - on the day before he would have turned 38. How I miss him. Please give generously. Thank you.

Lois and Nic are getting married!! And in lieu of presents they've suggested friends and family can make a donation to MSF. So huge congratulations to the happy couple and thanks in advance for your donation in Tim's memory; he would have had a blast with us in Ibiza. He'll be sorely missed xx

Clapham Common 10k Well, one year on and I managed to shave a few seconds off my time - I got round in 52m56. It was great to have my Dad and my friends, Imogen and Sam, running with me. And, as always, the support was much appreciated too - thank you. Tim would be proud of us all.

GNR 2010 1h58m - woo hoo!!!! Thanks for the support X

Great North Run 19 Sept 2010 Tim was a keen runner and completed both the London Marathon and the Great North Run in his time. He is my running inspiration. I dedicate my first ever half marathon to Tim. He would be astounded that I was running 13 miles through choice. I'll miss him every step of the way.

Three Peaks Challenge 25-26 June 2010 On 19 July last year at exactly 21.02, Tim set us our latest challenge; I still have the email he sent asking if anyone wanted to join him on the Three Peaks Challenge this year. Well, he would be amazed to know that 8 of us took up this challenge in his memory and have now successfully climbed Britain's three highest mountains. It was hard and hot and mentally and physically exhausting - for the walkers and the drivers - but we did it. Some of us in less than 24hrs, some just over, but the main thing is we did it. Despite the blisters and aching muscles, it was one of the best things I've ever done. I feel a huge sense of achievement and I'm so proud of us all. I've got a lot to thank Tim for, as without him we wouldn't have just had the weekend we just had. But I'm also filled with an overwhelming sadness that Tim wasn't able to join us.

Thank you so much for your support on this latest challenge, both financially and emotionally. It means a lot.

Yorkshire Three Peaks update  24.5 miles in 10h40m. On one of the hottest days of the year; temperatures were nudging 30 degrees. It was hot and hard work but we did it and have the blisters to prove it. I'm so proud of us. And I know Tim would be too. Thank you for your support. We are all very grateful.

Three Peaks Challenge x2 A week or so before Tim died, he emailed some mates and asked if they'd like to do the Three Peaks with him. Given that the Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks in Britain: Ben Nevis in Scotland (1344m/4409ft), Scafell Pike (3,209ft/978m) in the Lake District and Snowdon (3,560ft/1,085m) in Wales, in 24 hours plus the necessary training commitment, the usual excuses of no time, kids, DIY, etc. came back so it never got off the ground. Since Tim died, one of his best mates, Rich, has decided to make it happen in Tim's memory so there's 9 of us heading up to Scotland in June to take on the challenge Tim set us. It's going to be pretty tough. Aside from the walking, there's around 500 miles/800km of driving between the peaks.

In preparation for the Three Peaks proper, we're taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks next weekend. The walk is 24.5 miles/39.2km long and takes in over 5,000ft/1,600m of climbing. The aim is to complete it within 12 hours. 

Team Tim includes: Rich and Cheryl Cox, Paul Hale, Phill Kay, Rich Kay, Mark Say, Jamie Scurlock, Andy Stoddart and me. My parents, Pam and Colin, are the dedicated drivers for the main trip, allowing us time to sleep between peaks.

Christmas cards Given that I'm not really in the mood for celebrating Christmas, coupled with the fact that research from Which? Magazine has found that high street shops are passing on as little as 6% of the price of charity Christmas cards to charities, I've decided not to send cards this year. The energy that goes into making, distributing, posting and disposing of cards will also be saved so it's a bit greener too. Instead, I've made a donation to MSF in Tim's memory and send you all my warmest wishes for Christmas. (If any of you would prefer to make a small donation to MSF rather than send me a card, please feel free. That way 100% of your donation is sent directly to the charity and if you're a UK tax payer, JustGiving will reclaim Gift Aid on the charity's behalf.)

10k run update Well, all 39(!) members of Team Tim completed the 10k on 25 October and I think most of us enjoyed the experience. It was a very special day and I only wish Tim had been running as planned. He would have enjoyed it. I managed a respectable 54m37 in Tim's name - hopefully he would have been proud of that. As well as thanking all the runners, I must also thank the supporters - we couldn't have done it without you cheering us on. Thanks also to everyone who sponsored us, including the very generous donation made by ICAP - I'm completely overwhelmed by how much has been raised in Tim's memory. Thank you all.

10k run I will be joining 23 of Tim's ICAP colleagues, plus our friends Jo, Jamie, Rich, Paul, Sean, Molly and Liz on 25 October to run my first 10k. Tim had registered to do the race so I will be taking his place and hope to do him proud. We are hoping to raise even more money for MSF, so if you are visiting this page following a request for sponsorship from one of Tim's colleagues or friends then I would like to thank you on their behalf for your donation.

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