On Sunday February 28th 2010, 4 staff members will be running the Malta Marathon and Half Marathon to raise £2400 for The Family Holiday Association (FHA). The FHA is a superb charity that is linked with our line of business. We take thousands of travellers to all four corners of the globe each year to participate in sporting tours with their club, school or university. There are, however, an unfortunate number of families within the UK that cannot afford to go on holiday and that's where the FHA come in.

John McDonald, the FHA charity's director, informs us of their mission statement:
"We work to promote the quality of family life for those parents and children who experience disadvantage as a result of poverty through the provision of and by promoting access to holidays and other recreational activities. In 2009 we expect to help over 1,600 families enjoy a break as a result of our grant-making programme." The event will be unique as it's the first time that two of the four runners will have competed in such an event. Sarah Lake and James Maplethorpe have bravely joined Natalie Lebeter and Mark Gardner in this fundraising challenge...with a twist!

Natalie Lebeter (Marketing), James Maplethorpe (Sales), Sarah Lake (Operations) and Mark Gardner (Managing Director) are currently midway through an intense three month training schedule in preparation for the event. Each runner is tasked with raising £600.00 with many fundraising campaigns underway, including:

• Bag packing at a local supermarket wearing running kit & Family Holiday Association t-shirts
• Tea and coffee ‘rounds’ prepared for businesses located within our office complex
• Wales v England Six Nations Rugby ‘Guess the Score’
• Slave Auctions
• Dress Down Fridays (at the Teamlink HQ)
• Sponsored labour for local businesses at weekends
• Odd jobs for family and friends (car washing, cleaning football kit, cleaning ovens!)

For Sarah and James it’s the first time competing at such a distance whilst Natalie is making her Marathon debut after a series of Half Marathons and triathlons in recent years. Mark is preparing for marathon #23 and responsible for the training schedules for each runner.

All funds raised WILL make a difference and we hope you can support us by making an online gift-aided donation. It will motivate us immensely whilst we spend hours every week during the freezing UK winters to prepare for the challenge! Click HERE to sponsor us and don’t forget to check the Gift Aid box which allows the Charity to reclaim part of your income tax contribution to benefit their excellent cause! James, Mark, Natalie, Sarah @ Teamlink Sports Tours

PS Thanks to the following people who have generously sponsored us so far:
Amy Grainger-Matthews, Paul Booth, Sarah Mackie, Leigh Hardy, Rachel Harrison, Becky Lake, Grandma Thompson, Tara Oxley Jen Milner Christine Decamps Lizzie Fisher Stephen Lake, Sharon Lake, Jessica Gallagher, Estelle and Annabel Cuthbert, Frank Jackson, Remy Cresswell, Nicola Jackson, Joe Leighton, Heidi Barlow, Gemma Lancaster, Charlotte Rudd, Claire Dean, Scott Maplethorpe, Lisa Leighton, Megan Grantham, James Perry, Nicole Bond, Mark Bull, JOANNIE, Glenn McCormack, Tracey Rowe, Eleanor Pratley, Vicky Donovan, Julie Jackson, Tom Braisby, Julie Lebeter, Sarah Jackson, Donna Bishop, Daneen, Jill Braisby, Emily Braisby, Jane Lebeter, Becci Carter, James Maplethorpe, Mark Gardner

Submitted: 1st February 2010