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COMPAID Trust in the Paris Marathon

Its that time of the year when normally responsible people start taking to the streets at dawn and dusk in an attempt to get fit for the Flora London Marathon. So many people want to take part that many of the big, national charities auction places to the highest bidder, and small charities are desperate to find ‘privateer’ runners who could run on their behalf.

At COMPAID Trust we have outmanoeuvred the field by going for a place in the Paris Marathon – yes Paris, France - it’s chic, it’s continental and who knows, instead of a wet sponge you might get a glass of wine and a croissant at the refreshment stops!

Our runner is the wonderfully named Miele Martyr. Miele (say her name like ‘smiley’) is a committed long-distance runner in her spare time and trains three evenings a week; she also works for AXA PPP Healthcare in Tunbridge Wells so we hope her colleagues will sponsor her all the way round the 42 kilometre course (26 miles) through the city of light.

The marathon, which starts on the Champs Elyseé, takes in some of the most historic and romantic sites (and sights) in Europe, the Eiffel Tour, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Isle de Paris, the Place de Bastille and the Quais of the Seine to finish on the Avenue Foch.

Marathon day is Sunday, 9th April (two weeks ahead of the London Marathon) and we hope to be able to field a team of supporters to cheer Miele on her way on the day (it’s hard but someone has to go!)

Miele is hoping to raise at least £2,208 to support one place for a disabled adult at COMPAID Trust’s Activity centre for a year. If you would like to sponsor Miele you can do so by printing the attached form and posting it to Barry O’Sullivan, at COMPAID Trust.

Please make your cheques payable to COMPAID Trust. If you are a UK taxpayer please consider making a Gift Aid declaration (see attached form) in favour of COMPAID. By doing so your donation can be worth almost a third more – and at no additional cost to you. 

On the 9th April I am going to take part in the Paris Marathon on behalf of COMPAID Trust, hoping to raise at least £2,208 to support the work that COMPAID does for disabled adults in Kent and Sussex.

COMPAID Trust works with disabled adults at its Activity Centre at Pembury Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, helping them to use computers for therapeutic, educational and recreational activities. In 2006 the COMPAID Trust will celebrate its 20th anniversary, however, that celebration is overshadowed by the news that its future is threatened by closure of its home for the past 19 years when Pembury Hospital is re-developed.

When I visited COMPAID’s Activity Centre a few weeks ago I was struck by the warm and friendly atmosphere that greets you as you walk through the door and by the wonderful paintings, made using computer software, that are created by some of COMPAID’s disabled clients. Of course, there is a lot more going on than just painting, and if you ask anyone attending the Activity Centre why they like it they all seem to say ‘because I meet all my friends at COMPAID and it makes me feel part of everyday life for a while’

It costs £2,208 for a disabled person to attend COMPAID Trust’s Activity Centre one day a week for a year – and I want to raise that sum (and more if possible) on my run. I’ve started off my fundraising with a personal donation of £46 (the cost of one day’s attendance), so please join me by making a similar – or larger – donation and together we can help a disabled person have a better quality of life.

Please remember, your donation can be worth almost one third extra – at no additional cost to you – using Gift Aid. If you pay UK tax you are probably eligible for this so please let me know and I will ensure that COMPAID Trust claims the tax back. All cheques should be made to COMPAID Trust, who will provide an official receipt for tax accounting purposes if you need one.

To sponsor me, please printout the form and send it to the address shown.

As one of my sponsors I will let you know how I get on.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter.

Miele