In Pictures - the Lisbon Half Marathon

In an effort to take my mind off of my sore legs, I thought that I would attempt to create a photo diary during the Lisbon Half Marathon! As you can imagine, taking photo's whilst running was not the easiest task, there were a few blurred shots and ones where I seemed to have forgotten not to cover the lens with my finger!

But I did manage to capture the experience with my lomography camera so the results are at least something a little different!

Walking to the start line and capturing a milestone...

Waiting to start, along with 29,999 other runners!

In good company...

Taking in the view at the start line...

And then it was over the 25th April suspension bridge (the best part of the run by far!)

And then under it!

A familiar sight en route...

The incredible Praça do Comércio

The first time I have ever had to quite literally dodge banana skins!

The best feeling in the world, the end is in sight!

So nearly there...

Job done :) 

A huge thank you for everyone's support, you had no idea just how much it means when those miles start dragging and you feel like you can't keep running, it really does keep you going.


Vicki
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Happy Birthday Selvin and Friends!

In March 2012 the Selvin and Friends Foundation reached another amazing milestone, we turned one! 

We marked the occasion with Selvin's Super Sunday, with Vicki taking on the Lisbon half marathon and an amazing group of girls from Parkfield's Middle School taking part in our first Selvin swimathon. 

All in all, it was a pretty eventful birthday party!

Selvin and Friends goes public!

Selvin goes to School!


Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to visit Parkfields Middle School who have spent
the last few months supporting our “From Schools, For Schools” campaign.


It was great to meet with several members of the staff and learn about the marvelous
events that have taken place. From pancake sales and sponsored silences to long
durations of music playing, the children and staff have thought up of unique and
creative ways to raise substantial funds for Selvin.


To have the staff speak so highly of what we are trying to achieve was a
incredible feeling. Having support from those within the education sector just emphasises how important the project is.


On Friday 21st March I was fortunate enough to have the chance to speak to around 90
ten to twelve year old children who were just finishing their “Movie and Munchies”
event. It was great to be able to meet and speak to the children and have the opportunity to deliver a personal thanks for their amazing contribution. It was also a privilege to initiate a well deserved round of applause for the children for all of their efforts.


A huge thank you to Claire MacGregor (who introduced Selvin to the school), all of
the staff and especially the children for all of their efforts this year!


You will be able to read more about the events at Parkfields Middle School in our forthcoming
newsletter.


Swimming for Selvin!


On Sunday 25th March I was humbled and overjoyed to meet five extraordinary girls
from Parkfields Middle School who went above and beyond our expectations of the “From
Schools, For Schools” project. Aimee Titheradge, Anya Corvesor, Emma Larner,
Kathleen Renwick and Molly Gough gave up their Sunday (and the sunshine!) to
compete in an hour long relay swimathon at Flitwick Leisure Centre.

I arrived just as the girls were completing their event; cheered on by a great crowd
made up of family, friends and even school teachers. The girls managed an incredible
109 lengths of the pool during the allocated time, raising a great deal of money in the
process.


Along with the swimming, a cake sale took place so the spectators had some treats to enjoy, 
raising even more funds for Selvin! It was also nice to see the girls have some well earned cake at the end of their brilliant efforts!


It was astonishing to see the girls drive and passion for supporting Selvin and Friends. It was wonderful to also have their families supporting them, reflecting the family connection we have here at Selvin HQ. A big, big thank you to all of the parents, siblings, other family members and school staff for their contribution before and on the day.

After the event I was privileged to meet the five girls, who were all still smiling, and
was able to join in with the applause they richly deserved. It was an honour to present them with their certificates and a selection of Easter Eggs for them to enjoy as a small sign of
our appreciation. We want to say a huge thanks to the girls for their determination, passion and drive to aid our cause. Well done to you all.


Finally…


I can honestly say it has been a buzz to see the success of the first “From Schools, For Schools” campaign which lead to our very first Selvin Swimathon. To see the enthusiasm from children who want to help make a real difference for their peers, no matter the geographical distance between them, was truly heart warming. 


Stu

Just a little note to say...

... A massive good luck to everyone taking part in Selvin's Super Sunday!

We couldn't do it without you!

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A photo diary with a twist!

Next Sunday I will be running the Lisbon half marathon for Selvin and will be attempting to create a photo diary with a twist with the help of this:

This lomography camera takes a sequence of four photos per print, with some interesting results! 


I am not sure how easy running with a camera will be but I'll give it a go! Hopefully it will result in a bit of an alternative photo diary to share my Lisbon experience with you all!


Gracias amigos de Selvin


Vicki
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Re-Introducing...The Selvin & Friends Foundation!

Counting down to Super Sunday!

The 25th March marks a very exciting date for the Selvin and Friends Foundation as we have not one, but two fundraising events taking place on the same day!

Firstly we have an amazing group of girls from Parkfields' School taking part in our very first Selvin Swimathon! 

The girls will be attempting to swim as many lengths as possible in one hour at Flitwick Leisure Centre, hoping to raise vital funds in the process! You can support the girls and help make the event a huge success by make a donation here.


Our second event will be taking place across the waters in Lisbon where Vicki will be taking on the challenge of the Lisbon Half Marathon. 

Hopefully the months of training during the cold and dark winter will have paid off! You can help Vicki's legs to feel a little less tired by making a donation here!


The smallest donation really can make a huge difference in the schools we support.


A huge good luck to everyone taking part in next Sundays events and massive thanks to the lovely people who have worked so hard to organise them, we appreciate it more than we could ever hope to tell you.


Gracias amigos de Selvin


Vicki & Stu
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