Great North Run/Leukaemia Research

[PhilH]

Dear all,

I am running the Great North Run on Sunday. I run it most years (for fun!), but this year is different because I am running on behalf of Leukaemia Research and I would be extremely grateful if you would sponsor me.

Jon Nolan (also Norbury) and I are running in memory of Andy MacAlpine, who died three months ago from a rare form of Leukaemia, aged only 28. I'm sure most of you will have known Andy - big face off guy with a ponytail (until a couple of years ago). I had known Andy since he was about 8, when I coached him at cricket. He was a multi-talented sportsman; as a junior he played cricket for Cheshire (thanks to his ability rather than my coaching), lacrosse for Cheshire and Stockport Metros and football for Stockport Boys. He was 1st team captain at Norbury last season. We won the 3rd division, but Andy was unable to play in the last few matches. We thought he was on the mend and he was actually given the all clear, but the cancer came back even stronger just a few days later and Andy died less than two weeks later. He summoned up one last effort two days before he passed away to marry his girlfriend, Rachel.

As you can imagine, the lacrosse club (and Poynton CC, where he was 2nd team captain) has been devastated by the loss, but that pales into insignificance against his family’s loss. I know his Mum and Dad and his brother Stewart very well and we are doing this for them and Rachel.

Please please sponsor us. You can do so online here;

http://www.justgiving.com/andymacnorbury

Jon’s (and I stress Jon’s) idea is that we run in full lacrosse kit, so you might well see us on telly!

Thanks very much.

Regards,

Phil

[UKLaxfan]

Phil

Sorry to hear about this tragic story...

Well done for doing the run for a good cause and sharing it with this little lacrosse community.

I didn't know Andy but as a fellow Face-off man you can put me down for a tenner.

All too often we take everything for granted and get all stressed out about little things in life and don't truly appreciate it until someone you know or love is struck by tragedy.

There but for the Grace of God goes anyone of us.

I'll pass on the information to the Heaton Mersey Lacrosse Committee and see if we can get some more people to support you in your efforts on behalf of Andy's family and Leukaemia Research.

Good Luck with the run

pass on my condolences

God Bless!

ps: if you really want to get on telly, do the run with a lacrosse stick cradling a ball the whole way round, and when you see the cameras slow down for an impromptu throw about.... easier said than done though

[6x6]

Phil,

I applaud your effort. I have seen firsthand the effects of this horrible disease. Please let the family know that thoughts and prayers are coming their way from Texas.

[Jon_B]

full kit mens good luck with a very worthy cause.

[PhilH]

Thanks for all the amazing support. Andy's Dad came round to my house tonight and I told him how the lacrosse community has been rallying round. I knew there was a good reason why I play this game.

OK, Dave, we'll take a ball round with us!

Cheers,

Phil

[Ian#4]

Best of luck for tomorrow. 10 grads at work are running for Macmillian, but I'm sure can spare a few ££ for the lax community.

[mandy]

Fair play you're a nutter

Just flicking round the channels then and stopped on bbc one for a few seconds and saw someone running past the camera in full kit, looking like it was coming up to the finish

[PhilH]

I think Jon made it onto TV, and it was near the finish.

I managed to finish in just under 2 hours, Jon in 2 hours 18 mins.

Wearing the pads wasn't too much of a problem, but the helmet certainly made it a challenge in the heat! It was hard work but it was worth it. With various pledges not on our web page we are up to about £2,000. Thanks very much to all of you. Special mention to Rochdale; didn't hit me on the legs yesterday and they have been very generous with their sponsorship.

If you'd still like to sponsor us then here is the link again http://www.justgiving.com/andymacnorbury

Cheers,

Phil

p.s. All the people of Newcastle seemed to think we were hockey players, so I'd just like to wish the Knights good luck in their recruitment drive!

[orange05]

I think Jon made it onto TV, and it was near the finish.

Yep, you couldn't miss him, he finished just in front of BBC newsreader Bill Turnbull

Also spotted both of you in a long distance shot on the motorway just after the start

[UKLaxfan]

US Lacrosse run a Fall ball tournament every year - Lacrosse for Leukemia:

US Lacrosse magazine Article:
http://laxmagazine.cstv.com/sports/w-la ... 08aac.html