Mark's Half Marathon Fundraising Page

The Running Man. Better, stronger, faster.

Hi everyone. Believe it or not I'm doing the Auckland half marathon again, only this time round I will be feeling better at the end of it because I will have raised funds for the National Heart Foundation. It makes the vats of ice-cream I eat after these events all the sweeter and guilt-free.

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That's one person every 90 minutes, and many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in New Zealand. It causes 40% of all deaths annually in NZ, more than cancer.

Young adults in their 20s and 30s are being admitted to hospital for heart attacks more than ever before, and this age group is dying at a faster rate than people of the same age in previous generations. Much of this change is due to unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, late nights, extensive periods in front of the computer, heavy snacking, and being a smoker.

Having been/being a fat porker myself, this makes sobering reading. I could quite easily have become another statistic, and become diabetic or worse if I hadn't improved my physical fitness. I still have a way to go, but the good news is that many risk factors for heart disease are preventable, even reversible, if people make healthy lifestyle choices.

I've signed up to raise money to support The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand. By donating through my webpage you will be helping them continue their vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I'll do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but require a little bit of your hard-earned cash to make a difference to all those in NZ affected by heart disease.

Please could you sponsor me? I don't expect much, but any amount is appreciated.

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It’s simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation’s bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

Many thanks for your support & do turn up on the day if you can.