Legal expert, husband and father of 2, Des Gardner is 42 and just a tiny bit crazy. Over the years he has had 2 kidney transplants, the first in1991 when he was a student, the second one in 2004. Both operations allowed him to recommence his normal life, marrying Ali and fathering 2 lovely daughters – Grace (now 10) and Hope (now 8).
After each set-back Des bounced back and confirmed his faith in the medical teams at Manchester Royal Infirmary as well as the need to look after his transplanted organ.
As he acknowledges, “It’s given me a career and I am financially independent. It also gives you a normal life…that is the most precious thing in the world.”
For him, keeping as fit as possible was and is the only way forward. So he began to run, and run, and run. To strengthen his will-power, he decided to train for the 2010 London Marathon.
Although Des is the first to admit that he was never a natural born athlete, he tells all those who visit his web page, www.virginmoneygiving.com/DesGardner that his 2 transplants have given him 18 years of unbelievable health. Because of this, his reasons for running the marathon are clearly explained.
“I am running the London Marathon to show how transplants change lives and to say thank you to all my family, friends, work colleagues and the many amazing professionals at Manchester Royal Infirmary who have supported me over the years.
This year sponsored by Virgin Money, The London Marathon is a great British sporting event, bringing together elite athletes, serious sport enthusiasts and a huge mass of fun-runners, rubbing shoulders with politicians at one corner and perhaps a pantomime horse at the next. Most importantly the event is a Guinness Record Breaker when it comes to fundraising. Since the first race in 1981, 746,635 runners have passed the finish line and raised more than £400 million for charities and good causes, making it the largest annual fundraising event on the planet.
No doubt you’re familiar with the gruelling 26 mile course, twisting around London’s famous land marks, so, please think of Des on Sunday, 25 April and hope for easy going weather Perhaps you’d like to sponsor him. Visit the above website for details or please get in touch for details on how to send in sponsorship.