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Swanley VC Snowdonia Marathon Update

On 25th October 2009, Swanley & District Volunteer Centre employee Della Jeffrey braved the elements to complete a gruelling marathon in Snowdonia, to raise funds for an orphanage in Kenya, and for her Volunteer Centre.

Della's children also took part in separate events.

The weather conditions on the day were appalling, yet Della and her children bravely completed their events and raised just over £900!

Of her experiences, Della says:

"The day of the Marathon was awful. We woke up to torrential rain and howling winds. If the race at been near to home I would have turned over and gone back to sleep. My husband dropped myself and the kids off as close to the community hall as possible and he went to park the car. We had to register the children for their events. By the time we got to the hall we were already drenched. My son Stuart and I then had to queue for the bus to take us to the start line about a mile away. There were two double decked buses to take 2,000 runners to the start. You can imagine the sight. My son arrived late for his race along with three other children, luckily we got it delayed for them.

Our race was also delayed to get everyone there. I was totally soaked and very cold by this time but never mind, I was ready for the run. The first 4 miles went up and up and up and up!!!!!!! It then went down a little and from then onwards it was undulating and then up and undulating and then up. The rain continued  and the wind continued to howl and I continued to be soaked. I eventually  finished in 5hrs 22 mins, very cold, very tired and very happy to finish.
 
My son came 6th overall in his event and my daughter came 5th in hers. Both were totally soaked through but  we were proud that they attempted the runs in such awful conditions.
 
To date we have managed to raise just over £900. It now feels worth while putting myself through the conditions of the day."

 

For more information about the Kenyan orphanage cause, please contact Swanley Volunteer Centre here