Welcome to Mark Colthart's Mission for Mercy

Mark Colthart's Mission for Mercy

Adidas Auckland Marathon

The Cause

Di - My Inspiration

Auckland Marathon Finish 2008

PAGE CREATOR:	Mark Colthart
EVENT:	adidas Auckland Marathon 2009
EVENT DATE:	01/11/2009

I survived the event, and my legs are still attached! 4:07 was my time - a new personal best, and 18 minutes off my 2008 time. That 4 hour mark is still proving elusive, but that is now next year's goal.

It was wonderful to see some of you out there on the course and at the finish - thanks to Sandra & Brian Allen, Sam Carey, Big Dave Amodeo (my anchorman), Peter Buckton, Karen Evans, Lars, Aaron Brown, Chris Van Vliet & Benjamin, Steve and Berni, Jack & Eva, the Simmonds family (including Todd who was also running, and hammered the course in 3:45), and the Restall family (congrats to Ian, who finished in 4:13, and is now, officially, a marathoner). And most of all to Bridget, Max & Charlie and Lucie, who have supported me every step of the way. I couldn't have come close to doing this without you.

See you back next year!

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

This year I am running in the Adidas Auckland Marathon to raise funds for Mercy Hospice Auckland.

My mother Di passed away at Mercy Hospice in April this year after a long battle with lung disease. There were many times over the past few years when we didn't think she would pull through, but each time, until the end, she soldiered on, and continued to confound the specialists. She was (as many of you will know) one of the most determined and courageous people I have ever known. I just hope that a little bit of that has rubbed off on me.

During the last 2-3 years Di had many stays at Mercy Hospice; at first for respite care, and in the last few months as a palliative care patient. At the time she passed away, she was Mercy's longest term resident.

The care and support both Di and our whole family received from the staff at Mercy was just incredible. They supported us during the most difficult time, and cared for Di with great dignity and compassion. We owe them a great debt of gratitude.

So now, I would like to give something back. I'll do all the hard work; train for and complete this event, but I really need your help to make a difference to Mercy Hospice.

Could you please sponsor me.

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

So please sponsor me now!

Many many thanks for your support.

Mark Colthart

My Online Sponsors To Date
DATE	NAME	AMOUNT	COMMENT
06/11/2009	Dr. M. Pendandle	$200.00	Well done there. I dont know how you found the time to fundraise and train at the same time.
04/11/2009	chris and kat marshall	$50.00	In support of a handy quiz team member!
01/11/2009	Lewis Hamilton	$52.00	Don't forget to refuel, and stay cool!
31/10/2009	Jeanette Crossley	$50.00	All your hard work deserves the bonus upfront!
30/10/2009	Ronette	$50.00
30/10/2009	Aaron Brown	$100.00	Nice one Mark, I'll be watching out for you on Sunday.
30/10/2009	The Tappers	$52.00	Sparky I have already doubled the sponsorship as I know you will cane the 4 hour barrier! Well done for all the hard work you have already put in and I hope you are able to enjoy the day. Our family appreciated the generosity of the Whangarei hospice and we know what a fabulous job they all do. A big rap to you for giving something back. Andy, Flis and family
30/10/2009	Nick Dravitzki	$100.00	Run, sparky, run.
30/10/2009	Brian	$100.00
30/10/2009	Donnelly Family	$100.00	For your Mum and for Reigan, Mark.Good luck for your run---Best wishes from us all.
23/10/2009	INBODY	$50.00	sorry it took me a while to do this Regards Helena
16/10/2009	Jeanette Crossley	$50.00	All the best, Mark
16/10/2009	Roz & Haydn	$1,000.00	Couldn't make it back for your Mums funeral & talked with Bernie about donating the airfare money to the Hospice but was not sure how to organise from Brisbane, this sounds like the perfect opportunity. Good luck for the big day.
13/10/2009	SOUTHERN LEGAL	$50.00
12/10/2009	Simon Foote	$25.00
08/10/2009	Patrick O'Neill	$25.00	Smile lots and enjoy it Mark - Paddy, Jeanine and Annie
08/10/2009	Jan Nichols	$42.00	To almost get you to your target. Thank you for so positively helping our hospice- we are very grateful. Have a great run
07/10/2009	Ian Lowish	$100.00	Happy to support such a worthy cause
05/10/2009	Greg, Amy, Evie & Luke	$50.00	You make us feel lazy! All the best for the big run.
05/10/2009	Andrew McDonald	$100.00	Happy Running, Sparkle. Love Randle, Anna & Olly.
05/10/2009	Simon, Keavy Keira	$100.00	Hope u beat your city to surf time :) Best of luck !! Cant wait to see you all soon. x
05/10/2009	Jonathan	$50.00	Good luck!
05/10/2009	ERA/BUDGET TAXIS	$50.00
05/10/2009	Helen & Gerard Lynch	$50.00	Go Sparky
05/10/2009	parton	$20.00
05/10/2009	Brett McMeekin	$50.00	Sparky , you are mad!!! But well aware of what a great job they do :)
05/10/2009	Tori and Dave Beeche	$30.00	Go SPARKY! Dad spent some time at Mercy in the year before he died as well...amazing people and a worthy cause
05/10/2009	Richard Thompson	$20.00	Steady wins the race, Mark.
03/10/2009	Katie	$100.00	A wonderful idea Mark - Di would be proud of you (as she always was of course)
26/09/2009	Vivienne Crawsahw	$50.00
22/09/2009	LOCKYER'S	$10.00	"feel the force"
21/09/2009	Karen Evans	$25.00	good luck Mark. - p.s. great Arthurs Half result by the way.
21/09/2009	Pat McGrath	$26.00
21/09/2009	Mike Franklin	$50.00
21/09/2009	Jen Mein	$25.00	Good on ya mate!
14/09/2009	Steve, Berni, Jack & Eva	$1,000.00	Thank Christ you are running it Sparky not me! We will be there at the Finish line.
10/09/2009	India, Frances and Kelly	$50.00	Sparky, for this we would like to give so much, but our present circumstance means we can't accommodate more. From our visits to see DI in those last days I could see how amazing the carers are, and what a humanitarian asset Mercy Hospice is to the community. Go out there and run the run of your life boy.
09/09/2009	Danno	$20.00	Way to go Sparky!
05/09/2009	Tony Gore	$50.00
04/09/2009	Maree Cross	$42.00	“Character gets one out of bed; commitment moves one into action; faith, hope, and discipline enables one to follow through.” Anon. Best wishes.
04/09/2009	Greg Allen	$20.00
04/09/2009	Virginia Jones	$50.00	I knew your Mum many years ago. Lovely reason to run.
04/09/2009	Sam, Lesley and The Bump	$200.00	Run like the wind Marcus. Di would be proud of what you're doing.
04/09/2009	Mason & Inga	$50.00	Pound that pavement Sparkie!
03/09/2009	Ian & Tania Restall	$50.00	Good idea Mark and we can drag each other over that line!
01/09/2009	Boydie & Carolyn	$100.00	Good stuff Sparky, run hard!!
01/09/2009	Jacquie	$30.00
01/09/2009	Carmel Byrne	$100.00	Best of luck Mark. It's for a great cause.
01/09/2009	Euge	$50.00	Well done Mark. Mighty good cause!
31/08/2009	Chris van Vliet	$50.00	You are an inspiration Mark! Good luck! Chris.
31/08/2009	The Ellis-Peglers	$50.00	Run Sparky, run - Di would be proud.
31/08/2009	Lynsey Grant	$100.00	You'd better bloody finish.
30/08/2009	Georgina Grant	$50.00	Excellent project. All the best on the day, Mark!
28/08/2009	Graeme Colhoun	$25.00	Good luck Mark and know that your mum will be looking down with pride as you kick the Auckland Marathon's butt! All the best, GraemeC1983
28/08/2009	Dave, Tracy, Libby and Fergus	$50.00	Awesome Mark, run like the wind.
28/08/2009	Deanne	$50.00	All the best Mark.
28/08/2009	David J	$100.00	A most laudable commitment
27/08/2009	Harky, Kirst, Henry Hugo and Zara	$50.00	Nice work Sparky. Di will be smiling down on you :) xoxo
26/08/2009	Juno Kim	$50.00	Great Mark! best of luck!
26/08/2009	Beanie	$100.00	You should be wearing the spiderman suit!
26/08/2009	Ian	$50.00
26/08/2009	Diane Cochrane	$20.00	I'm in the Mercy Hospice New York marathon team and I had met your mum several times when she was in the hospice. I think what you're doing is great. Good luck !
26/08/2009	John Walton	$100.00	Great effort Mark - it's a very long way!
26/08/2009	Shones&Shane	$25.00	You will ace it Sparky - esp thinking of your Mum.
26/08/2009	Margaret Langham	$15.00	Great cause Mark. Good luck.
26/08/2009	Lars	$26.00	Go big fella. Double the amount if you get home in under 4 hours
26/08/2009	Viv James	$50.00	Mark we will be running at the same time in opposite ends of the earth, for the same reason!! Good Luck. Diana would love this!!!
26/08/2009	Sue Lidgard	$100.00	For a wonderful cause. All the best Mark. I'll be behind you all the way (half anyway!)
26/08/2009	Jen Egan	$30.00	Best of luck Mark.
26/08/2009	Dirk Lisk	$50.00	a very worthy cause.
26/08/2009	Eugene St John	$100.00	Great cause. Good luck
26/08/2009	Andrew Moses	$25.00	Giving to a good cause is always good.
26/08/2009	EmBeeDee	$26.00	Not too sure about the exchange rate, but this might come out at something like a dollar a mile! Good luck, hope the marathon goes well, and look forward to hearing the race report on MMR.
25/08/2009	BUILDSAFE SECURITY OF PAYMENT SCHEME	$100.00	Best of luck Mark - a most deserving and worthy cause
25/08/2009	Todd Simmonds	$84.00	Fantastic cause Mark. $2 per km. Good value for the first 25km but then slave labour ...
25/08/2009	Johnny Tight Arse	$10.00	Ok, have my lunch money!
25/08/2009	Matt	$50.00	Make sure you warm down afterwards
25/08/2009	Anisa	$50.00	All the best with the fundraising Mark (and the running).
25/08/2009	bill taylor	$100.00	hope springs eternal
25/08/2009	Bob and Heather Fenwick	$40.00	For a wonderful cause
25/08/2009	Murali Ravikularajan	$100.00	come on please Mr Mark - we know you can do it.
25/08/2009	Donnelle Crosby	$30.00	Well done Mark (cute kids!)
25/08/2009	Craig Hegan	$50.00	Well done Mark and best of luck
25/08/2009	David	$20.00	No way you'll run that far, but prove me wrong !\