With £33000 raised and PLANETS now topping the £50000 mark, its all been worthwhile.

It was a mad night thereafter. Thats all I’m saying!!

Particular thanks to Stephen and Jon for their hard work and to all at Thornhill Primary School. Without your “likes” we would never have been nominated.

Thanks to all that voted.

You can watch it by clicking the link below – the film starts around 7 minutes into the programme and news about the full length version will be posted here as soon as the details become available.

http://www.communitychannel.org/video/ng2MD9hIYOU

I estimate the evening raised approx £9000 which is mind blowing and means we absolutely smashed our target. Get in!!

Thanks to everyone who attended. What a night.

GWA was a huge sucess which bore the fruits of everyones labour. As soon as the GWA tools were put down, the team were back around the table with the sole focus now on finalising the party. Incredible commitment. Also cant believe we are up to £21,000 raised on the webpage.

What a send off. Couldn’t believe how many people came to the beach to see us off. Good media coverage too. Beautiful morning with clear skies, calm waters and shoals of mackerel jumping out of the sea. Felt relaxed, motivated and focussed. The Set-Up Team had done a fantastic job setting everything up making the location look stunning. The swim took 2 hours 10 mins. I drank too much of the Solent on the way so the run didnt go to plan at all as had bad stomach cramps. An onlooker suggested it may be because of my shorts before asking “do you want a cigarette?”. Run style went to pot as i was trying to compensate for the cramps. Calves and adductors cramped badly throughout but made it round. The land teams (on mainland and on Ryde) and the water team were superb.

Day 2 – 30 mile run.

Legs were tight but found good momentum so started to run freely. The run through Needles raised lots of money thanks to the wonderful bucket shaking team. The stopping broke momentum and found it hard to get going again so the second half was brutal to the point I wanted to lie at the side of the road. It was at this point I constantly reminded myself of the reasons I was doing it. Things like Mr Volley tracking us down to give out rock cakes (ps delicious!!), cars sounding horns, people of the sides of the roads clapping and encouraging and police taking time to offer their support all helped lots. It was clear the island knew what what we were doing. The documentry makers filmed me getting into a cold bath on my return (with shorts on). None of us could have predicted what was to come next. With my legs barely able to support my body weight, I went into shock. Upon looking back at the footage, it looked like I was having a fit. Andy (media representative) said he felt uncomfortable recording it and wanted to stop filming to help me but was essential I stayed in the bath if I was to have any chance of completing the following day. Again, Stefan worked wonders on my legs. A local pub hosted a quiz that evening so we all went for a meal and gave the winners their prizes. Thanks to Andy at The Folly.

Day 3 – Bit of a lie-in as shorter distances meant a later start. This gave me the opportunity to get more food and drink down, pack bags and stretch lots. I didnt expect to be able to run at all today but was very pleased as I ran a scorcher and seemed to be back at Ryde in no time. Big learning curve. The swim back was great fun. I found myself having a good laugh with Jim in the kayak during the swim, making faces at eachother and nlaughing. It was nice to get off the legs and use a part of my body that wasnt screaming. Once again, ‘Kayak Jim’ and ‘Commadore Powell’ and his team were emmense and saw us back safely.

Let the party commence! Fireworks, joyous celebrations, lots of hugs (I think i knew most of the recipients), champagne corks popping and an incredible amout of people on the beach to see us in. The lads from Hampshie Ambulance checked me out and other than a bit of hypothermia, all was well.

So many people on the beach. Thanks to everyone for showing their support and believing in both us and the cause. There are so many people to thank. It simply wouldnt have happened without your selfless support. Hundreds and possibly thousands of hours of hard work have gone into making this event possible.

WE DID IT!!!

The swim went really well, although we were pulled off course by the tide a little adding an extra 0.4 miles to the total distance and testing the skills of the watersports team who corrected our course and kept us safe.

Today as we finally walked back up the beach at Stokes Bay, I was in awe of how many people had come down to the beach to support us.  I could hear their cheers from the water and it really spurred us on, so thank you all.

Again I cant thank the support team enough for the work they have put in, not just in the last 3 days, but in the 9 months leading up to the event, you helped us make it the great success it was.  We not only raised a huge amount of money for the charity but also raised the profile of pancreatic cancer.

You have my total gratitude

Kindest regards,

Martyn

We set off a 10.30am, from blackgang chine in the pouring rain but the sun was out within the hour as was the suncream making for another hot day.

By mile 4 my Achilles had started to flare up which was frustrating having got through day 1 with no problems. A couple of ibuprofen later and it seemed to settle down to a manageable level.

We passed through the needles (Alum Bay) at around mile 14 where there was an announcement about the event which was great publicity for the charity and many people donated money to the cause.

The last 10 miles, was the most difficult I have ever run as everything was hurting at this point but I was spurred on by people in there cars beeping and waving who had seen the tv coverage.

We were over the moon to reach the finish in Newport square and get back to the hotel for food and treatment.

Time for bed now….need some shuteye before the swim run tomorrow.

Martyn