Continue reading »]]> As many of you may know I run Marathons for WaterAid. This year I’ll be taking part in my 16th London Marathon (really looking forward to it).

But there is little point in me being clapped out on the streets of London without my faithful sponsors digging deep and donating towards this very worthwhile cause. If you would like to get behind this old camel and support WaterAid please donate now.

There are a few methods of donating:
- Online: via my Sponsorship Page on Virgin Money Giving (its quick safe and secure, and all proceeds go to WaterAid).

- Text CAML96 £5 (any value from £1 to £10) to 70070 . ps 100% of your donation will go to WaterAid. This service is handled by Vodafone JustTextGiving and your donation will be visible here

WaterAid uses practical solutions to provide clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. They work in 26 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region. (see http://www.wateraid.org/uk/ )

Thank you so much
Big Camel Hugs
Humphrey

London Marathon 2012 Humphrey’s Sponsorship Page (Virgin Money Giving)

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Once again Humphrey the Camel took part in the annual WaterAid Coast Along Challenge.

He returned to the South West Coast path and walked the stretch from Lee Bay to Croyde Bay in North Devon (10 miles).
The coastal views were spectacular and he got lots of cheers from supportive (and surprised) walkers. He survived the steep climbs and battering wind to make it to Woolacombe beach, with enough energy to spare for canter with a couple of horses

We all had a fantastic day and really look forward to next years event.
There is still time to sponsor Humphrey’s efforts and help raise money for WaterAid.

Thank you all for your support and encouragement
Big Camel hugs, Humphrey

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On Sunday the 17th April 2011 I ran my 15th London Marathon for WaterAid.

I lined up at the back of the Red start in pen 9 with my friends the Rhino’s, a Lion, and a whole herd of Humans. The air was thick with nervous energy. My Sheik Mustafa (Ant Tyler) ran alongside to guide me round the course, warn humans of my presence and to keep my humps well watered.

I passed a giant snail (I was careful not to squash him) and shuffled through Greenwich Park towards the start line with the masses. The Kenyans had built up quite a lead by the time we reached the start line 25 minutes later, and knew I’d have a job on to catch the leaders. There was a bit of cloud cover for the first couple of miles and I settled into a 10 minute mile pace and was feeling quite comfortable. Then the sun burnt the clouds away and it started to get hot and humid.

All was well until I hit a bit of a wall at 15 miles and was really pleased to see my supporters and take a break at the 18 mile mark. After stocking up on jelly babies I trotted along. By this time I was taking on water just about every mile and Mustafa did his best to look after me. I was forced to walk a bit, but the crowd roared and got me going again. The atmosphere running down Embankment was electric and really spurred me on to build up to a final sprint finish (see BBC Marathon Highlights (48min30-34seconds)). I finished in a time of 4hrs 58min.

I am trying to find all the right words to describe my day but am such an emotional camel right now. I am so privileged to have been given another opportunity to run in this Great British event.

Thanks so much to all my sponsors, supporters and crowd that got behind me in such a big way on the day. I am really blown away by your support and generosity.

Big Camel Hugs
Your Furry Friend
Humphrey

ps its not too late to sponsor me if you missed out http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/HumphreytheCamel )

Credit to Katie Russel, Paul Konig, Georgie Scott, Brenda McIlwraith, Ross Holdsworth, Steve Hunnisett, ianduffy for training their lenses to my fur and taking the photos below. Enjoy

Photo Credit: Paul Konig

Striding purposefully to the start
Photo Credit: Katie Russell

Our proud supporters
Photo Credit: Paul Konig

Mustafa (Ant) and Humphrey pose at the 8 mile mark
Photo Credit: Georgie Scott/WaterAid

Avoiding a Lion
Photo Credit:Steve Hunnisett (Flickr)

Don’t look back
Photo Credit: Ross Holdsworth (Flickr)

Taking a brief walk.
Photo Credit: ianduffy (Flickr)

18 miles done and knackered

Job done, Race Complete
Photo Credit: Brenda McIlwraith, WaterAid

All Smiles
Photo Credit: Brenda McIlwraith, WaterAid

Thank you again for your support!

Continue reading »]]> Am touched and moved by the generosity of the Great British public. To see the sponsorship coming in is really amazing and special (am up to £750 now)

Lauren a New Zealander who I have not met before donated £50 to WaterAid today. Thank you all for the support and encouragement, it really keeps this Camel proud and pushing forward. Its only 5 days to go to my 15th London Marathon and the excitement is building.

For those keen to sponsor my run, my sponsorship page is here http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/HumphreytheCamel

ps I’ll be at Clearwater Court for a Walkabout at 2pm this afternoon.

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Sorry for the late race report (my padded feet get stuck in the keyboard sometimes and I get writers block).

I completed this years Reading Half Marathon in a time of 02:06:16. I was pretty pleased with my pretty consistent split times:

5K – 00:30:11
10K – 00:59:03
15K – 01:30:45
20K – 02:00:12

I was well supported by Mustafa my minder and the crowd really got behind me. We came into the Madejski Stadium to a rapturous applause, and managed a sprint for the final 200m round the track.
Mustafa collected an exceptional £133 in his bucket (thanks to all who donated).

There is a good photo of Mustafa and I on the BBC website (photo 7 of 9) – Reading Half Marathon 2011 in photos . There are some goodies there (really like the Morph chaps).

Anyway another super Reading Half Marathon completed, the race gets bigger and better each year. We will be back next year for sure.
Bring on the the London Marathon on the 17th April.

If you have not sponsored yet please get behind us and support WaterAid – http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HumphreytheCamel

Big Camel Hugs
Humphrey