stalbanslife

Passing our Fire Station on London Rd, St Albans last week, I noticed three large signs enticing me to get  ready for the following local events.  So to get in shape and help some charities, have a browse below.

LADIES MIDNIGHT WALK – in aid of Grove House. This takes place on 25th June at Westminster Lodge. Note the new time of 10.30pm. There is a 5 or 10 mile option and the winner receives tickets to Take That in Wembley. Click www.midnightwalk.org to apply. Entry is £15.

ST  ALBANS CHARITY CYCLE RIDE – in aid of various charities (see website)Sunday 15 May from Oaklands College, Hatfield Rd. Early start 8 /9 am depending on chosen ride. (20,30 or 40 KM) Various Hertfordshire Routes. For more information and to register click www.SACCR.co.uk 

ST ALBANS HALF MARATHON - in aid of Willow Foundation and Every-Man Cancer. Sunday 15th June in Verulumium Park and options are 1.5 Fun Run, 5K run,  Half Marathon (Walking), Half Marathon (running). Click on website to register and see various designated carparks. www.stalbanshalfmarathon.co.uk

Please feel free to upload and share your events on this website. Comments and feedback on the above events are welcome too.

 A St Albans bookclub have decided to take their friendship one step further; actually it will be a few thousand steps further!

This bookclub have not just formed a great bond, but have taken steps to help those around them. Recently they did a public performance of the Haka warrior dance, at a farewell party, for a New Zealand member of their club. Now, they are about to undertake a 25 mile circular challenge, climbing the three highest peaks of Yorkshire. They aim to complete this within a 12 hour period. And is this for the sake of their health? No!

Stephen Barbour, bookclub member and organiser of the challenge explains,”‘We are raising money for a charity that supports people with a relatively unknown condition. Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurons. Degeneration of the motor neurons leads to weakness and wasting of muscles, causing increasing loss of mobility to the limbs and difficulty with speech, swallowing and breathing. This is often a terminal disease affecting 2 people in 100,000.”

Stephen’s friend, Howard, is one of the unlucky two. Howard, a popular man in our St Albans community,  is a terrific dad to three boys and husband to a supportive wife.

Stephen says “Life is just not fair, since his illness was diagnosed, he has continued to be very positive and do as much as he can with the boys and you will never hear him moan about his illness.”

Louise Coxon, communications manager at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, says:”We rely entirely on voluntary donations from the public to help support and care for people with MND and to fund ground-breaking research to find a cure for this cruel disease. We are committed to fighting MND and so we really value the passion and commitment of our supporters because every penny raised helps to make a real differance to the individuals and families affected by MND.”

The walk will take place on 4th September and the ‘boys’ would welcome your donations. Click on www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Barbour0   and follow instructions.

Information on MND is available on www.mndassociation.org

‘If you go down to the park today,

You’re in for a pink surprise,

There are thousands down in the park today,

Running to save some lives’

I am referring to the 3,100 (+) females of all ages who turned up, mainly in pink, at the Verulamium Park in St Albans! In support of Cancer Research UK, they ran, walked, jogged and even wheel-chaired around the 5k course.

This is the 13^th year that St Albans has hosted this popular event. The atmosphere was electric with the presence of personalities like Stuart Miles of Heart FM and Jean Christophe Novelli, ‘the Nation’s Favourite Chef.’

Mary Everest, runner, panted at the end of the race ‘It’s hot but well worth it.’ Her friend Samantha Ponte, another runner, said ‘It’s the girl power for me.’ Both ladies then headed off for their well-deserved cider!

Cancer Research UK is the biggest, single, funder of cancer research in Europe. It supports the work of 4,800 scientists, doctors and nurses in the UK. (Excerpt from Cancer Research Website) It was announced that so far, over £300,000 has been raised at today’s event in St Albans. That’s girl power for sure!

For further information on the work of Cancer Research Uk, go to

www.cancerresearchUK.org

There will be a Christmas market at Charters Health Club, Russet Drive, St Albans, AL4 0DB on Friday 18th December 3pm til 9pm. Free Entry! Have a go at ice skating, fairground rides or visit Santa in his grotto; lots of craft and food stalls, festive refreshments, plus lots more fun for all the family. The event is being run by Highfield Park Trust, a charity which manages Highfield Park, a public park. All proceeds will be used to improve the Park. Tickets for ice skating and Santas’ grotto are limited, book in advance via the website – http://www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk.