Chris Gibbs
Chris does Tough Mudder 2012
Fundraising for The Emily Jordan Foundation
Story
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">Right, there’s no denying it… I’ve done some fairly stupid challenges in my time, cycling to Barcelona on my own last year definitely may have topped them, but this might well be the most gruelling in terms of mental and physical exertion… with all the madness packed into one day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">So, on Saturday 12th May, at Boughton House and Estate in Kettering, Northamptonshire, I will be taking part in <a title="Tough Mudder" href="http://toughmudder.co.uk/">Tough Mudder 2012</a> (South-East/Midlands). Billed as: "Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet," and described on their website as a: “hardcore 12 mile-long obstacle course, designed by the Special Forces to test all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie,” it's going to take some doing! So, essentially it's a half marathon with 28 obstacles including: running through blazing diesel soaked straw, crawling on your belly through stinging nettles, sprinting through a network of hanging live wires (some of which carry 10,000 volt shocks) and other aptly named obstacles such as the 'Ball Shrinker'!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">As well as the many obstacles on the actual course itself, there’s also one small hurdle for me to overcome… running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you that know me, I’ll try just about anything in terms of sport / activities / challenges, but when it centres around running, well let’s face it – I’ve never been known for my running abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this is going to be one big old challenge for me, and I’ll be taking the training very seriously to do my best for the team.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">The money that I raise from putting myself through this torturous event will be going direct to <a title="EJF" href="http://www.theemilyjordanfoundation.org.uk/index.htm">The Emily Jordan Foundation</a>. A Kidderminster based charity that I am very closely involved with and that aims to "help individuals with moderate learning or physical disabilities to lead fulfilled lives.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Foundation was set up following the death of one of my very close friends from university, who tragically lost her life in 2008 whilst travelling in New Zealand. It's a huge testament to what Em would have achieved were we still lucky enough to have her around and I am incredibly proud of the success the Foundation has experienced to date, and feel humbled to have played some small part in helping. Through various projects / schemes, including <a title="Spokes" href="http://www.spokes-uk.org/">Spokes</a> - a successful social enterprise which trains young people with learning difficulties to enter the workplace, we are really able to help these individuals make valued contributions to society by gaining invaluable life and work skills. Long may it continue!</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">So, after reading all this I hope you feel suitably compelled to give generously and sponsor me in this event, donating to a deeply personal and truly worthwhile cause.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">Many thanks.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%; font-family: &amp;amp;amp; font-size: 11.5pt;">Chris</span></p>
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