Nico swaps his deck shoes for trainers
Nico Westlake is swapping his deck shoes for trainers to raise funds for Sail 4 Cancer. Below he explains why he's doing it - and why it will be such a challenge.
Event - 2012 Rock 'n' Roll Edinburgh Half Marathon - Sunday 15th April
"This will be my first ever Half Marathon and to date my longest run is 12km, so 21km is looking to be quite a challenge and one I am in training for - I want to finish in day light! I have never been much of a runner, and although I have always enjoyed sports such as football and golf, running seemed to be a bit boring and too much like hard work.
"During the last two years I have worked as a yacht skipper and sailing instructor for Neilson in the Greek Ionian, and this is where I first learnt of Sail 4 Cancer. During the summer we held numerous events in order to raise money and awareness, including charity auction nights, chest waxing (the boys) and our annual Miss Nidri competition, where the entrants were restricted to male Neilson staff and guests, and included a pageant at the famous Tree Bar. On a weekly basis I ran a quiz at the bar for our guests, Neilson staff and a few rowdy locals. Everyone would make a donation towards the charity and the winning team got a free round of drinks and a lovely Neilson glass paper weight.
"What made this charity particularly poignant to me was the feedback we received from the guests who had been out on a Neilson holiday supported by Sail 4 Cancer. Although as staff we were never aware of these families before or during their holidays, our manager Ed would often read out feedback from the families who had been on a Sail 4 Cancer holiday; some examples can be read on the website. To know that we were able to make a small but important difference to people who had been affected by cancer made a big difference and we were very proud of that.
"Sailing has so many benefits and particularly in what I consider to be one of the most stunning areas in the Mediterranean. Sailing offers the ability to escape normal life for a short time and to focus on learning something new and challenging in a wonderful environment. You are surrounded by people full of enthusiasm, simply happy to share something they all feel so passionate about; this is what makes the difference.
"By signing up for the Edinburgh Half Marathon I want to be able to raise as much money as I can. I want to help give people affected by cancer an amazing experience of being on the water and to be thinking of when to raise the sails or which bay they will drop the anchor in, and not about treatments or hospital appointments.
"I think my friends and family will be surprised I have signed up to run a half marathon, but I am sure they will be keen to see me do well. Please have a look at the website and read the feedback, and please please give generously!!!!!"
Sail 4 Cancer would like to thank Nico for his ongoing support in Greece, not only in raising funds but also in looking after our guests and inspiring them to try something new and exhilarating. We wish him an excellent Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. Please sponsor him and offer your words of encouragement using the online form below.
Share this : 
Donation Form : Nico Half Marathon
|
|
|
Sorry this campaign (NicoHalfMarathon) is now closed
To make a general donation to Sail 4 Cancer please
click here>
|
Total raised so far
£552
Donors & messages of support
| Additional sponsor money from family and friends. Thank you!
From Nick |
| Run Nico Run! It's a fantastic cause and you've trained hard! Good luck - you can do it! Keep smilin :-)
From Miss A Finch |
+ £5.00
Gift Aid
| Run fat boy run! Just messing good luck bro have made sure st john's ambulance follows you!
From J r westlake |
+ £1.25
Gift Aid
| Hi Nico, good luck with the race xxx
From Miss S A M Reynoldson |
+ £2.50
Gift Aid
| Good luck with the race! x
From Miss Emma L Boalch |
+ £1.25
Gift Aid
| All the best mate. Good charity.
From Brian Smith |
+ £12.50
Gift Aid
| Best of luck babe, so proud of you!Next stop full marathon?xxx
From Miss Kathleen Henderson |
| Good on Yer Nick. All the Best
From Craig J Abbott |
| Good Luck !
From C SMILLIE |
+ £2.50
Gift Aid
| Good luck Nico - sounds like a fantastic cause. love dame & alex xx
From A Edmans |
+ £7.50
Gift Aid
| If you need a dress for the the half marathon mum will send you one
Good luck love Mum/ Dad
From mr r westlake |
+ £2.50
Gift Aid
| Go Nico
Sail 4 Cancer sounds like a great charity.Know you can do it
love Matty Rowse
From Mr M Rowson |
+ £2.50
Gift Aid
| no message
From mr booker-williamson |
+ £2.50
Gift Aid
| Nico if you complete the 21km, i will also buy you a beer as well as pay your sponsership - more out of shock than anything else!!!
From Mr Stephen Grigg |
| Best of luck, great effort...
From Iain N Wilson |
+ £1.25
Gift Aid
| Good luck mate, Nidri gym obviously got you inspired!
From adam sutton |
+ £1.25
Gift Aid
| Nice one Nico - great to see S4C's work continuing outside Greece. Fancy a drink while you're in the 'Burgh? Sounds like you could use it.
From Miss Catherine Allison |
+ £5.00
Gift Aid
| Good effort dude, great cause, best of luck. Don't run through any long grass...........hisssss....
From trevor w marshall |
| Hi Nico. Hope you can find that 'groove' that gets your endorphins going... I admire your courage. I have never ran that far. Love, Claire
From Anon |
+ £5.00
Gift Aid
| no message
From d j i carmichael |
| Go Nico! I'm very impressed. Watch out for snakes and don't do any breakdancing on the way round!!!
From C A Dawson |
Online donations £293.77. Other sources £201.00
Total raised £552.27 including £57.50 Gift Aid
Gift Aid values are estimated tax reclaimed
Sail 4 Cancer is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
© 4 Cancer Group 2013
| 
Nico swaps his deck shoes for trainers
Nico completes his first half marathon
Nico's Latest Update
