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Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs is a charity established by a group of Mumsnet users. They knit / crochet handmade blankets and other items for families experiencing difficult times.

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Run Woollies, Run!

618 replies

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/04/2013 13:24

The continuing story of how Team Woolly Hugs does running. All newcomers very welcome!

Our first fabulous runner, PiggyPlumPie has been there, done that and quite literally has the tshirt (gorgeous btw) and we are looking forward to more runs taking place round the country, and further afield maybe?

We are doing this to support the Billie's Blanket Project being run by the Woolly Hugs community, see here This project was launched as a tribute to beautiful Billie, our lovely MrsDeVere's daughter, who devastatingly died at 14 from leukaemia. We launched this at the time of her 21st birthday. In Billie's name, and through World Child Cancer we will send little blankets to children who are suffering from cancer, and who really need a Woolly Hug and to feel loved and looked after. Our first batch has already gone to Malawi, the next will go to Ghana and Bangladesh.

We are helping raise funds so that alongside Billie's Blankets, we can send a donation to World Child Cancer. Money is so scarce, they really have so little. There will be other fundraising events this year, but we are RUNNING!

These are where the 5K runs will takeplace, they are all over. But even if you run round the block and someone sponsors you to do so, it all counts!

Our Just Giving Page is here. Donations are welcome at any time, huge thanks for those already in. At this moment we are up to £1,116.33, where will be be when this thread is full?!

Enter established events soon to avoid disappointment. Let us know when you are running so we can cheer you on, and please use this thread for support, and general running things, the support here is awesome and we love Piggy's idea of tying a woolly bracelet on to run, then we are all with you as you go. Smile

MNWoollyHugs on Facebook - come and find us, you can still remain anonymous Smile

For novices....Woolly Hugs Guide to Running

  • Put down your woolly wool,crochet hooks and needles.

  • Find your trainers, these are sort of soft bouncy shoe-things that go on your feet.

  • Find something loose and comfortable to wear, and no we don't mean a caftan.

  • Open front door and go outside.

  • Put one foot in front of the other with speed and determination!

YOU are RUNNING!

The children that WCC support need all the love and comfort possible. So please, in memory of a sparkling young girl who always thought of others, we'd love you to help us help them.

As ever, thank you so much for your support.

Thinking of Billie and her family Xx

Knotty and Pistey

OP posts:
BIWI · 16/05/2013 12:54

I was only following you with my MN name - but am now following from both. And have re-tweeted.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/05/2013 12:54

seamless

OP posts:
Mouseface · 16/05/2013 12:54

Thank you!!!! My Twitter alert on my mobile just went into meltdown Grin xx

5madthings · 16/05/2013 14:23

I have a twitter account I never use... Can't get to grips with it at all!

I have just booked my train tickets for London Grin

Planning on getting up at 6am tomorrow to run before school run and toddler group!

Mouseface · 16/05/2013 14:54

You go 5mad, you go!!! xx

EarnestDullard · 16/05/2013 15:53

6am is very keen 5mad Grin I'd love to go running early in the mornings but after nights like last night, up at 11.30pm and 2.30am with 7mo DD2, no chance.

I did run 4 miles this morning though, and 6 miles at the weekend - my longest run since DD2 was born!

Good on you for the sponsored hobble Mouse. We're friends on FB btw, I'm KA. Can't remember when I added you, maybe after a random FB-related thread on here?

I do have a Twitter account but I never got the hang of it..

5madthings · 16/05/2013 15:57

Well dp is at work tomorrow afternoon/evening so I have to fit it in in the morning.

I don't blame you not getting up early with the broken sleep tho earnest dd is still in our bed at 2.5 but generally sleeps pretty well now, so couldn't do the broken nights again!

Mouseface · 16/05/2013 16:50

Earnest - I've got you! Wow, good on you for your planned distance! I can only every dream of that sort of distance these days! You're a star!!

What's the 'rule of thumb' with sponsoring each other? Is it a case of if you sponsor me, I'll sponsor you because I could well be Barry Flint by the end of the year if so, but I don't not want to sponsor people if any of that makes sense.

I'd rather make a donation to the 'whole cause' so that I'm not showing favouritism. Is that okay? Of course I love you all, you're ALL fab and this is all so amazing.

Would that be okay with everyone who has sponsored me who is also running, wobbling, shuffling, hobbling, skating, riding etc? Grin

BIWI · 16/05/2013 16:52

Well, osteopath has said no running for me Sad. However, I haven't got shin splints (yet) and I can be cured Grin

She has suggested cycling in the meantime, to keep my fitness up and cario/stamina levels up.

Which is fine, except for I don't have a bike ...

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 16/05/2013 17:37

BIWI - good news it's not shin splints. I recently bought one of these

5madthings · 16/05/2013 17:43

Boo for no running, but yay that she can cure you :)

Time to get a bike, I have a lovely Scott bike, men's line as I don't like the ladies frames but its a small frame size so fine for me to ride. I have spent hours looking at bikes the last few days for ds2 for his bday in July, you can end up spending a LOT of money if you get carried away!

BIWI · 16/05/2013 18:06

Yes, that's the problem. At the moment I don't have money to spend on anything - no work - and DH will hit the roof if I shell out on money for a new bike, when my old one, which I barely used at all, is rusting away outside Blush

Think I'll just have to go to the gym and use the fixed bikes there instead.

5madthings · 16/05/2013 18:10

You could ask at your local police station, they often auction off bikes really cheaply ie stolen ones that have been recovered but owners can't be traced or ones that have been found and not claimed etc. Gumtree and free ads are also good :)

BIWI · 16/05/2013 18:18

That's a good idea!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/05/2013 18:22

Or you could borrow mine? :)

OP posts:
BIWI · 16/05/2013 18:23

Oh Pistey. I would hate to deprive you of the opportunity to ride your bike Grin

Mouseface · 16/05/2013 21:42

Gym Bikes are better because you can vary your speed, level of intensity etc, and if you are already a member then go for it there.

Or, the police is a fab option, failing that - Freecycle often have free bikes on that might need a bit of TLC but that's better than shelling out for a new one BIWI?

I'm glad it's not shin splints and I'm sorry that you can't run. I know how that feels xx

Night lovely ladies, I'm hoping my GP will give me the thumbs up for shuffle/hobble/wobbley frame walk! Grin xx

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 16/05/2013 22:35

I forgot to say before, my race pack arrived through the post today with my number (and safety pins to attach it Grin), a big drawstring bag plenty of room for post-race gin and chocolate and a timing chip for my shoe Shock

TantrumsAndBalloons · 17/05/2013 07:24

Morning Brew

Just did 5k in 25.14. I can't get under 25 minutes and it is beginning to annoy me. For no reason. I don't know why I want it to be under 25, I just do.
Ds1 did 18.33. I don't care. I may break his stopwatch on Monday.
He is far too young and fit and smug

EarnestDullard · 17/05/2013 11:45

I got my race pack today too Shredded! We don't have to use the drawstring rucksack, do we? I was planning to just take my Oyster card and iPod in my pocket and get DH to bring my post-run gin and chocolate Lucozade with him, as he'll be bringing the DDs to meet me at the finish line.

Sorry to hear of your running embargo BIWI but glad it's not shin splints. Swimming's another good bet for low-impact exercise, if there's a pool at your gym.

Tantrums I'd be thrilled with 5k in 25.14! My pace is somewhere between 10min30sec and 11min per mile, depending on how hilly the route is :)

EarnestDullard · 17/05/2013 11:45

And the fastest mile I ever ran was 9min30sec, but that was downhill, and before I had children Grin

5madthings · 17/05/2013 12:22

My bupa pack arrived today :) i will have to use the bag as i will have my overnight stuff etc.

I do a mile in a similar pace to you earnest after the bupa run i think i will try and increase my pace with some interval training but for now i am quite happy that i can run for an hour given i had never run at all until feb!

MegBusset · 17/05/2013 18:25

According to the FB page we now have an extra place for the London Bupa 10k - just posting here in case not everyone had seen it.

Ran 45 mins non-stop today and it was fine - easier than stopping and starting. Think I'll stick with that length run now and rely on crowd support to get me through the last leg!

BIWI · 17/05/2013 18:46

I've set up my own Just Giving page today

outing myself here, for those who don't already know who I am!

I did that so that I can send the link to my clients, who obviously wouldn't have had a clue who Woolly Hugs or Pistey/Knotty are!

PiggyPlumPie · 17/05/2013 19:37

It sounds like there are going be some good times posted next week!

Wish I could come down and take that extra place but it's just too far. Sad

I will be there in spirit, cracking my whip to get you all round Smile