Hi,

Around a month ago I sought your support for the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s fundraiser – The 72Km Long Run and you very generously responded. It was truly humbling to receive so many positive responses from past OTU members, some of whom I had not seen for 50 years and others I have never met, truly a great group.

To keep contributors informed I maintained a running blog on the Team website during September so supporters could follow where things stood and I hope you found it interesting (still available on the website). Regardless of whether you read it though I thought you may appreciate a brief summary of September’s events so…

Firstly and most importantly a lot of people (over 300) donated a lot of money, everywhere from $10 to $5,000. In total we i.e. you and I, raised over $41,000 in fact we were the third highest fundraising ‘team’ in the nation – a fantastic outcome.

Secondly and equally importantly over 40 people joined Team FORBES as “runners” and most achieved the 72Km target, some in short time. Some of us  then pushed on and added extra K’s to achieve personal goals but that’s an individual story, it’s all on the website.

Team participants came from the USA, UK, NZ, France, Morocco, UAE, Libya and throughout Aust. Some people ran on dirt tracks (guess where), others in wind and rain, some in significant heat (Houston) and some under robust C19 related quarantine restrictions (Melb). I feel guilty admitting some including me, ran in WA in Spring sunlight most days and where the most relaxed C19 related circumstances on Earth prevail. Most of us finished our respective distances and as far as I know… no-one did a hammy which is great news!

For those who donated to me personally (64 not including the person I am married to who had little option), a huge personal thank you! Together we raised over $17, 700 for the Foundation which was another fabulous result – the third highest ‘individual’ fundraiser. Terrific!

Now in case you know someone who forgot to donate during September, or perhaps the kids have annoyed you lately and you want to reduce the size of their inheritance, The Long Run website is still active but otherwise this the end of the story.

In closing I just want to once again say how much I appreciated your support. It was tremendous and your financial generosity was beyond expectations… my heartfelt gratitude.

Together we provided men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and their families who go through it with them, practical assistance through the Prostate Cancer Foundation… and importantly hope – you demonstrated you care!

My sincere thanks and my best wishes – Bill