London Marathon 2009 - Sunday 26th April
The Evelina Appeal has a number of charity places available for the 2009
London Marathon.

How to run in aid of The Evelina Children's Hospital Appeal
Step 1 – Apply through the official ballot
This means you'll be in with the chance of getting your ‘own’ place, and can still run in aid of the Evelina, raising as much as you can (no minimum sponsorship).

The official ballot place entry opens online at www.london-marathon.co.uk on Sunday 13th April 2008. You can only apply for the ballot online. Applications close on 5th September or when 120,000 applications have been received.

In the last week of September, or by the 1st October 2008 you will receive a copy of Marathon News which will advise if you have been successful.

If you are successful we would love to have you join Team Evelina and you will receive the same support as our Gold Bond runners.

Step 2 – Apply for one of our Golden Bond places
We advise you to apply for the ballot, but if you want to double your chances of being able to take part then please apply for one of our guaranteed, but limited Golden Bond charity places.

We ask Gold Bond runners to pledge to raise a minimum of £1,800 to help us continue to provide world class services to our young patients and their families.

What do Evelina Runners receive?

• A tour of the Evelina Children's Hospital so you can see at first hand the amazing cause you are raising money for!
• Evelina team running vest and iron-on letters to make you extra visible on the day
• Fundraising pack with handy tips and advice plus regular personal contact and advice
• Training plan website guide
• Newsletters to motivate and inform you throughout your training
• Fundraising materials to help you with your fundraising
• Support on Marathon day from the Evelina supporter point
• Post-marathon meeting point
• The opportunity to be part of a small but effective team and raise money for an important cause – the health of our children

Congratulations to Team Evelina for their sterling efforts at the
Flora London Marathon 2008.
See photos from the day here »

The 23-strong team included the friends and family of Evelina patients, hospital staff members and local company supporters, with the The Ship pub on the Isle of Dogs hosting our supporter point and a marathon reception held at the Marriott County Hall for the tired but jubilant runners.

Paediatric Surgical Nurse Specialist Rachel Hunt ran the marathon for the first time this year. As a member of the Croydon Running Sisters she has in the past run 10k challenges and half marathons, but this was her first full marathon. She said: "It was an exhilarating day. Tough, but well worth the months of training." Rachel was lucky enough to win her place through the official ballot, but chose to support the Evelina: "I've always wanted to run the marathon and thought it would be great way to support the children and staff at the hospital while achieving something for myself as well." Rachel finished the marathon in 5 hrs 15mins and raised just over £1,000.

According to Lindsey Blake, she 'used to be a fat lass'. She and friend Mandy Kennett discovered a diet that encouraged them to get fit and began to take part in competitive races.

Hitting her 40th birthday in 2008 Lindsey decided to mark the event by taking part in the Flora London Marathon. She and Mandy chose to fundraise for the Appeal at the same time as Mandy's grandson Adee is treated at the Evelina for cleft lip.

Mandy said: "The whole experience of being at this wonderful hospital, the great work the staff do and the surroundings have only made me more determined to help by raising funds for them". Lyndsey added: "This is a marvellous charity and I feel privileged to run for it and give thanks for my own and my family's good health."

Thanks to all our runners, volunteer cheerers, The Ship Pub, Situs Companies, Albemarle Graphics Ltd for donating banners, Marriott Hotel and the Club & Spa at the Marriott.

This year's runners: Trevor Buckland, John Baskott, Mandy Kennett, Sally Spaull, Kerry Ann O'Sullivan, Terry Palmer, Marc Emmanuel, Daniel Creasey, Gus Saggu, Chloe Hamborg, Lindsey Blake, Ben Fleming, Louise Sherwin. Harry Cunningham, Chris Freel, Rachel Hunt, Holly Carmichael, Francis Bond, Charlie Connell, Victoria Milner, James Bowman , Rosie Dickinson, Andrea Francis