Most of you - no, all of you know Antony and most of you know that Ant has some peculiar ideas. So you may not be surprised to learn that he is intending to run in this years London Marathon. I make no apologies for the space given him in this Newsletter. It just proves that although I think he is mad, his heart is in the right place. I also enclose a sponsorship form and I hope a lot of you will make use of it, generously.

Antony Read has an incredible personal story of triumph over adversity. He is a 'below-the-knee' amputee as a result of a motorcycle hit and run accident and is now aiming to realise a lifelong ambition to run the 1999 Flora London Marathon, which he will be doing for Whizz-Kidz.

"I have always wanted to run the London Marathon since becoming an amputee and I'm very pleased that I'm running in 1999 for Whizz-Kidz. It's the most extraordinary feeling to be able to see a dream in sight and achieve it against all the odds. I hope that I can give the children I'm supporting a true sense that they too can achieve their wildest dreams"

Antony was a keen runner at school and ran his first marathon when he was just 17. But in August 1980 his lower leg was badly damaged in the accident. Treatment failed to stimulate re-growth of the bones across the fracture and on 3 March 1981 Antony's leg was amputated.

Extensive surgery, skin grafts and a slow healing process followed, but in November Antony was able to try out his first artificial limb. As he regained his mobility Antony resumed his love of riding motorbikes, but it was 3 years after the accident before he finally learnt to run again. He started off fast walking a distance of 2.5 miles each morning with the dog and then slowly built up to a jog until he was able to run the entire distance, leaving the dog chasing him! A new 'sprung' foot further enhanced his running ability.

Ever since he can remember Antony's ambition has always been to run the London Marathon, but unfortunately ongoing problems with his leg meant that in December 1995 Antony had to give up this dream and stop running all together.

Not one to be defeated, using a different prosthetic, he started cycling and going to the gym every week, as well competing in off-road motorcycle trials, skiing and ice-skating. By 1997 Antony had a new, custom-made 'high activity' limb and soon discovered that he could not only run again, but that he was even faster than before! Later that year he was up to 6 miles and entered a 10K race with the aim of breaking 50 minutes. He came in at 48:55.

The 1998 Flora London Marathon became his ultimate goal, but in his enthusiasm Antony pushed himself too hard and 10 days into his training he developed an injury. It was the end of December before he recovered, but it was too late for him to prepare for '98.

As you can imagine, Antony is determined more than ever and has set his sights firmly on running the 1999 Flora London Marathon for Whizz-Kidz. At 41-years-old he's considered a 'veteran', but he's aiming to break 4 hours at a 9-minute mile pace! There's absolutely no doubting that Antony's on a mission to finally achieve his lifelong ambition and even break a record on the way!

Antony lives in Surrey with his wife, Joanne, and their two children, Stuart aged 13 and Ben 11.

5th Aug ran Gatwick Half Marathon in 1:54:14

2nd August ran the '26.2 RRC' 10K at Ewell in 47:34.

20th Dec ran in a 6 mile cross country race. Time approx 51.20.

3rd Jan ran in the Tadworth 10(mile) finished in 82:05.

24th Jan ran in the Mitcham 25k (15.5 miles) finished in 2:08:51

For further information about Antony Read and Whizz-Kidz

contact Jill Cochrane on 0171 233 6600 ext. 257

or email cochrane@whizzkidz.btinternet.com Whizz Kidz