A few months ago Jane Lelean could only manage a short jog before having to slow down, but now she’s up to 16 mile training runs and is looking ahead to the big race on April 24.
“Apart from a 5k a few years ago I’ve never done any running and I’ve never even watched the London Marathon on television,” said Jane, who lives near Aylesbury. “But I’m all for new challenges and when I heard that Dentaid had a place in the event I just said on impulse ‘I’ll do it’.”
Now Jane is pounding the pavements four times a week and by mid March will be completing 22 mile training runs. “The biggest goal for me is finishing the race and raising money for Dentaid,” said Jane who is a trustee for the charity. “There is no doubt this is the toughest thing I have ever done and the thought of long training runs and lining up at the start line makes me very scared. But in my mind each time I run is a picture of a smiling child in Africa who was relieved from dental pain thanks to Dentaid. The charity is very close to my heart and does fantastic work around the world.”
Jane, who ran her own dental practice before setting up a company providing business training for dentists, celebrated a ‘big birthday’ this year and hopes that 50 people will sponsor her £50 to get her fundraising underway.
“The support I’ve had has been wonderful,” she said. “I never thought I’d do anything like this but I’ve got a fantastic training regime and it’s going really well.”
All the money Jane raises will enable Dentaid to continue its projects in countries where people are suffering due to a lack of dental care. The charity is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has launched new projects in the refugee camps near Calais, Nepal and Dewsbury in West Yorkshire helping vulnerable people who find it hard to access NHS dental care.
Dentaid has a host of other fundraising opportunities in 2016, including places in the popular Ride London and Great North Run events. “I would urge everyone to consider taking part,” said Jane. “It’s amazing what we’re all capable of.”
To sponsor Jane please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JaneLelean
To find out more about other fundraising opportunities with Dentaid email kery@dentaid.org or call 01794 324 249 www.dentaid.org