Toby is a Pink Ladies man
NOT satisfied with just one marathon, Toby Peatfield is attempting two-and-a-half.
In less than two months he will take part in the Great North Run and the Chicago and New York Marathons, all in aid of the Pink Ladies, Guernsey's breast cancer support group.
After completing the New York Marathon last year, he said that he never wanted to see another pair of trainers. He is now running about 40 miles a week.
'After signing up for the three runs, the training started to get more serious. It usually takes a while to recover from one big run so it will be interesting,' he said.
Mr Peatfield has known one member of the Pink Ladies, Esme Bishop, for 13 years and was pleased to support the group.
'They are an enormously brave group of ladies and any accolade I get should be directed at them - they are the brave ones here,' he said.
There are about 40 women in the Pink Ladies, which was formed two years ago to help women of all ages and in all stages of treatment to come to terms with their diagnosis. They have already achieved a number of milestones, as well as simply providing an ear for those who need to talk and may want
advice and comfort.
'Often, people want to meet others who have gone through the same experience - especially when they are younger,' said Nina Ellis, one of the women who will be supporting Mr Peatfield.
The amount of involvement with the group is entirely personal and we all get something different out of it.'
A 24-hour phone line for anyone needing advice or just a reassuring chat was set up. Every month, informal meetings are organised at which patients can find support and access to a fully-qualified breast-care nurse outside a surgery environment.
The Pink Ladies support breast-care staff on specialised courses. Speakers regularly make visits and they have established a comprehensive library on breast cancer and related issues.To date they have raised more than £30,000 to improve the care, comfort and facilities available to patients.
'We have ongoing expenses and we are hoping to fund some specific research programmes, which may require some long-term back-up,' said Mrs Bishop.
'It is brilliant that Toby is running for us. I just hope he doesn't end up in hospital himself,' she said.
'I didn't expect him to do something quite so spectacular
it will be a great achievement. It can be very cold in New York in November.'
Many women have to travel to the UK to receive radiotherapy for breast cancer. Mrs Bishop hoped that the group might be able to acquire a small flat in Southampton so that family can be there with the patient.
'It can be a very lonely experience and they can be there for up to 12 weeks at a time.'
Mr Peatfield is running the Great North Run in Manchester on 20 September, the Chicago Marathon on 12 October and the New York Marathon on 2 November.
Anyone who wants to sponsor his runs can send a cheque to Mrs Bishop at Les Champs, Beau Repaire, Rue a 1'Or, St Peter Port, GY11QG, or call her on 720379 for more information.
(Reproduced courtesy Guernsey Press and Star)
Article dated 27 August 2003
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Toby's treble leaves Ladies miles better off by Mark Oliphant MARATHON man Toby Peatfield has completed two-and-a-half marathons in just five weeks - and raised more than £5.500 for charity. He ran in the Great North Run and in the Chicago and New York events to raise money for the Pink Ladies, Guernsey's breast cancer sup-port group. Mr Peatfield, 38, a stockbro-ker with Brewin Dolphin Securities, took part in London and New York last year but had never done so much in such a short period of time. 'It really is tiring. You just don't get the time to recover in between.' he said. Mr Peatfield ran in the Great North Run, a half-marathon, in Newcastle on 20 September and in the 26-mile runs in Chicago on 12 October and in New York on 2 November. I came back in between each event so I managed to clock up a few Air Miles,' he said. 'All the way through each event, the atmosphere was great, but the crowds in New York were brilliant.' Mr Peatfield said that he enjoyed the experience but was unsure whether he would attempt the same again. I'm feeling fit and I want to do some more next year, but it's a bit too early to say. I'll have to wait and see how the body reacts.' To prepare for the three events. Mr Peatfield did four months of training, running about 40 miles a week. He completed the Great North Run in 1hr 36min, Chicago in 4hrs Imin and New York in 3hrs 44min. He has known one member of the Pink Ladies, Esme Bishop, for 13 years and was pleased to support the group. 'They are enormously brave ladies and a very good group to raise money for,' said Mr Peatfield. There are more than 50 in the Pink Ladies, which was formed more than two years ago to help women of all ages to come to terms with their diagnosis. Every month there are informal meetings that are open to anyone needing advice and support and a 24-hour phone line has been set up. To date, the Pink Ladies have also raised more than £30,000 to put towards improvements in patient care and to fund specialised training for breast-care staff. The latest funds will go towards supplying an information pack for women recently diagnosed and providing patients who have to travel to England with better facilities. 'We are delighted with Toby's efforts on our behalf. I know that it is has been a struggle to do them all but we really are thankful,' said Mrs Bishop. 'We have ongoing expenses and we are also hoping to fund some specific research programmes, which may require some long-term back-up.' Anyone who wants to add to the sponsorship money can send a cheque, made payable to the Pink Ladies, to Mrs Bishop at Les Champs, Beau Repaire, Rue a 1'Or, St Peter Port, GY11QG, or call her on 720379. (Reproduced courtesy Guernsey Press and Star) | |
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The Pink Ladies Guernsey's own Breast Cancer Support Group wishes to recognise and thank the following friends for backing Multi-Marathon Man, Mr Toby Peatfield, and for making our October 2003 campaign such a great success, raising over £6,000. Corporate and Staff Donations Albany Trustee Group Bachmann Group Bank Julius Baer Barings and Barings Social Blenheim Fiduciary Brehon Caldwell Associates Chandlers Collins Stewart Cooper Brouard Deutsche Bank EFG Private Bank General! Hamilton Brooke - Campaign Posters Investec Kleinwort Benson Lloyds TSB Offshore Private Bank Martel Maides N M Rothschild Nordben Life & Pension Insurance Norman Piette St Sampson's Medical Practice PKF Guernsey Ltd Saffery Champness Schroders Corporate Services Securicor Swoffers Mappin & Webb - Lalique figurine trophy And we are most grateful for these Donation Box locations Amour Cobo Health Centre Creasey's Fletcher Sports L'Aumone Surgery Le Longfrie Surgery Medical Specialist Group Pier Steps Surgery Queen's Road Medical Practice Rohais Health Centre St Martin's Health Centre Thank you to our many individual donors for your generous support. All the Pink Ladies (Reproduced courtesy Guernsey Press and Star) | |
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