TAKING TIME FOR WHAT MATTERS

Jason Nettle, director of Winchester Garden Machinery, is this year undertaking the challenge of 12 marathons in 12 months for good causes. Here he updates us on what a tough month August was for his marathon challenge, the industry and him personally.

Hi everyone,

You might have been thinking I've finally given up on this possibly ill-advised challenge of running a marathon a month. I'll be honest, it's come close - so close, the fact that I'm had to push to get the distance done over the final weekend of last month says it all!

August was a tough one, and the added lack of rain this year has made for one of the most demanding seasons I've ever known in our industry. So, I decided to take some time off. A family holiday had to come first. I packed my trainers with all the good intentions of getting up early and squeezing in some training sessions. You will probably not be surprised to hear I didn't clock up a single training mile. What I did get was some incredibly valuable, quality time with my boys and family, as well as a few extra pounds to carry along on this marathon!

I'm also incredibly grateful to announce that August's marathon was sponsored by AL-KO Gardentech UK Ltd. Thank you so much for your support!

Last weekend, I plodded along, clocking up the miles on the last day of my holiday. I set off from Ropley, Hampshire and headed down the Meon Valley Trail from West Meon to Fareham and then back again. My final destination? The nearest pub for a well-earned drink. I was literally running for a pint!

Last month, I had to prioritise, and while the marathon was a last-minute push, the reminder of what's truly important -family, and your own well-being - is a lesson worth more than any training run.

My 'why' remains the same. I'm running to raise awareness and vital funds for Cancer Research UK, Prostate Cancer UK, Naomi House Children’s Hospice and St. Michael's Hospice.

Your support fuels this extreme nonsense

I'm pushing my body to its absolute limits for these charities. From trudging through endless mud and braving scorching trails to running with a few extra holiday pounds, I'm going to some pretty ridiculous extremes to get this done. This isn't just about a run; it's about pushing past what I thought was possible to help those in need.

I'm thrilled to share some incredible news: we have already hit my original fundraising target of £10,000! This is a phenomenal effort, and it's all thanks to your generosity. I've now set a new goal of £12,000, and I hope you can all help me work towards this new target.

Please sponsor me today.

Every single pound really does make a difference and helps turn my ridiculous efforts into tangible help for those who truly need it.

I'll be back soon with an update on how I got on with this most-recent marathon push.