The sight of snow is beautiful, however it has affected my street-running training. Earlier this week I did manage to fit in a few days of cycling to and from work and a run on the weekend. I think the main training will have to commence again as soon as I get to the summer of Argentina!

I am so pleased with the response I have received from everyone since I decided to join Sam on her journey to run in the London Marathon next year. The on-site massage fundraising event has now raised £95 and the xmas card event has reached £122.50. My target amount of £1,500 is looking more likely as I am currently on £667.87! The current amount is also thanks to everyone who have already donated and to my two lovely bosses who gave me all their loose change!

I still have a few lovely handmade cards available so it is not too late to get your hands on these unique designs. Get in contact with me and I will send them out to you. There are even some late arrivals...all the way from the valleys of Argentina!

My page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KimWong

Thanks for all the support!!!

Despite the freezing temperature and the sight of snow last night, the sell of cards and cakes raised £92.50p!! 22 cards and 8 cakes from Curious Yellow were sold at Hiden Floral Designs.

There are still cards available at the shop for £3.50 each. A few are also on its way to Glasgow as Sam has here own card and brooch event this weekend.

The exclusive handmade cards are done! The cakes have been confirmed! The teabags are ready for brewing!

See you there......

Date: Tuesday 30th November

Location: Hiden Floral, 26 Paddington Street, W1 (http://www.hidenfloraldesign.co.uk/)

Time: 6pm - 9pm

Event: Kim's London Marathon 2011 fundraising project
(target is £1,500!! Already raised £280)

In aid of: The Mental Health Foundation (http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/)

Please remember that every penny will go towards my sponsorship.

This week has been a busy one with the achievement of two fundraising events!

I would like to thank all our customers who donated during the 10% off evening last Thursday. I am yet to count the money collected as the charity box is still at work and continuing to receive donations! I am hoping for at least £100 as I did see a few £5 notes and one £20!! It certainly feels heavier day by day.

I would also like to thank my uncle's work colleagues who took some time out to enjoy a 20 minute seated massage. I raised £65 in cash and an additional £20 from online donations. I am expecting a couple more donations to come through from this fundraising. Again, I am hoping to reach £100 from this event!

The great thing about both events was the different stories which each person had to share. I received many good tips for my training. The main advice was to enjoy the feeling of running in the marathon! Simply by speaking to people I got to interact with some very interesting individuals.

Earlier today, I tried out a new route by running from Acton-Chiswick-Shepherds Bush-East Acton-Acton. It took an hour in total, which included a combination of light running, sprinting and walking. I worked out the route to have been approx. 6miles. If I keep this up then I should be able to complete the marathon in 4 hours?!!

Tomorrow (Wednesday 18th November) sees the first of many fundraising ideas become real! I will be at work (Joy Everley Fine Jewellers - www.joyeverley.co.uk) until 9pm as we are offering 10% off on all purchasers. In addition, we will be asking our lovely customers for donations!!!

Tea & cards on Tuesday 30th November!

Hello!

As I am waiting for the rain to stop so I can go for my Sunday run...

....I would like to invite you (friends & family also welcomed!) to an event, which will be held at my friend Marco's lovely florist. You will have the chance to see and buy Christmas cards which have been handmade exclusively by a selection of my friends and family.

The attached photos show how involved my family (gran and cousin) have been with this idea. I look forward to seeing the designs by my friends!

There will also be tea and cakes on offer for a small donation of £1.

The great thing to remember about this event is that ALL the money made from the sale of cards and donations will go directly to my London Marathon 2011 sponsorship, which I am raising in aid of The Mental Health Foundation.

Here are the essential details for the evening:

Event: Kim's London Marathon 2011 fundraising project
(target is £1,500!! Already raised £280)
In aid of: The Mental Health Foundation (http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/)

Date: Tuesday 30th November

Location: Hiden Floral, 26 Paddington Street, W1 (http://www.hidenfloraldesign.co.uk/)

Time: 6pm - 9pm

It's a great reason to support my chosen charity and to enjoy the evening with me with a cup of tea!

I Hope to see you then!!

Kim xxx

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KimWong

My ideas so far....

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KimWong

Fundraising ideas so far:

1. Work (www.joyeverley.co.uk) has agreed to my idea of asking customers for a donation in return to a 10% discount on each sale during the Grazia Evening in Carnaby Street on Thursday 18th November.

2. Uncle has organised a day later this month for me to spend at his office so I can offer on-site massage in return for a minimum donation of £5 for a 15mins seated massage.

3. Xmas cards to be designed by a group of friends and family. An evening event will be held at marco's florist (www.hidenfloraldesign.co.uk). Every penny of each card sold will go towards my sponsorship! Keep an eye out for more info on this event. Should be at the end of this month.

4. Pink piggy box residing at Shokoh's cafe (Curious Yellow, Holloway road) until the marathon. I am hoping for support from her lovely customers as she offers a great selection of home-made cakes, teas and brunch snacks.

5. Sam and I to pack shoppers' bags at our local Morrisons (Sam used to work there-before it was known as Safeways-when she was a teenager). This idea is yet to be confirmed as I have been informed we must go via head office for approval.....

Please let me know if you have any ideas to help.

A Sunday morning surprise!

I must have been naive to believe I would be the only one on the streets running on a Sunday morning. However, little did I expect to see runners popping out of every street corner! It is a great feeling knowing that I am not alone in the training process. It definately helps waking up to a sunny morning even if it is noticably chilly! It is now midday and already I have gone for a 40mins run, had a good English breakfast (eggs and baked beans on brown bread, and a cuppa tea), and now enjoying a herbal tea whilst typing ;)

the essentials for a good run

I would like to introduce you to my running shoes! It is thanks to these comfortable trainers that my training seems to be going well so far. I managed to spend less time out on the streets last night whilst focusing more on different types of running speeds. It consisted of 6 minutes of light running then 2 minutes of sprinting. This was repeated three times. The sprinting felt good as my heart was certainly being worked! Oh! The extra photo is of Acton Park this morning. I had to stop for this photo as it was a classic image of Autumn.

An extra helping hand

A very good friend of mine, Shokoh, has agreed to look after my pink piggy bank and to ask her lovely customers to help with my sponsorship. You can find the pink pig at her stylish cafe (Curious Yellow) located along Holloway Road. She serves up a great egg benedict and a healthy selection of teas ;)

the highest donation so far...

I woke up this morning feeling slightly Monday-bluesy, however the day got better as I just found out my sponsorship had gone up by a further £51!!! Thank you to my uncle Jim and girlfriend Terrie! I believe you have donated the highest amount so far!!! Lets see if anyone else will donate an even higher amount?!! Ok, after work I am going for a run ;)

Today kicked off to a great start as I was given a cheque for £50 from my doctor!! How cool is that?!! I have also just seen an another donation coming in so THANK YOU to Sophie for your support!!! The biggest donation has so far been from Jenny and my doctor...lets see if anyone can come in with a higher amount ;) I am on a positive buzz as training is going to plan and I am feeling fitter ever time, and the support has been amazing!

Yesterday I completed my longest run so far of 1 hour and 22 minutes ;) It felt great as I was taking in all the scenic views of Acton, Chiswick and Shepherds Bush. I highly recommend LCD Soundsystem's new album for the buzz when running.

The beginning...

Almost at the end of October and training has already begun and I am feeling good! For the rest of this month my training scheme will consist of cycling to and from work (approx 6 miles each way) and a couple of 30 - 40 mins. evening runs, as well as a longer run on the weekend. My eventual plan is to make it from Acton to Hyde Park, around the park and back again! I'll let you know if I make it :)

I am very optimistic about the training. It is more the fact I have to raise (with the help of Sam!!) £1,500 by the time I run which makes me nervious. I am currently on £88! Thankfully, work has agreed to a fundraising idea which will rely on our loyal, generous customers ;)

p.s. the photo shows me and my partner in crime (Sam) with whom I will be raising money and running on the actual day! For the moment we are training in separate countries.

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KimWong