Mike’s Big Run for Martineau September 25, 2015

Fundraising picture 

Sponsor Mike online: https://localgiving.com/fundraising/mike-martineau

Update 21 October 2015 : Mike’sdone it!!! Three massive cheers – it’s still not to late to sponsor him, in fact your generosity will make all that hard work worth it! If you donate via Mike’s online page (at Local Giving, via the big link above), the first £10 of your donation will be match funded and (if eligible) gift-aid added – but, don’t delay, the match pot fund will only last a short while!

Mike Ponton, son-in-law of Trustee Glenys Thomas is running for Martineau Gardens in the Great Birmingham Run on Sunday 18 October, 2015. This is the first time that Mike has run to fundraise, having run many other full and half marathons ‘just for ‘fun’. Previous runs have been Stratford Upon Avon, Reading, South Downs, Windsor and Paris. His best half marathon time is 1hr 55 and although he is not expecting to match that, he is looking forward to running the streets of Birmingham for the first time.

Mike is married to Katie Glenys’ daughter and had heard all about the Martineau and their family’s enthusiam for it, long before his first visit. Glenys’ commitment to and love of the gardens has spread to the rest of their family.

Mike,52, works as a Systems analyst for cargo airline software so running is a good way for him to get away from an office environment

Why is he doing this?

“I am very interested in mental health issues and the welfare of people and protecting green spaces within city centres, so Martineau Gardens is an especially good project to support. I have heard from Glenys what a wonderful job the gardens offer, giving people a focus. It is so important for people to feel that they are needed and valued in society. It is also a beautiful place that gives many people a chance to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity as well as to see the wonderful plants, woodland and gardens when they visit.”

Sunlight shining on the Paperbark Maple

  How You Can Sponsor Mike

1) By donating online through LocalGiving which is totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Martineau Gardens and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. To donate on-line, please go to Mike’s fundraising page: https://localgiving.com/fundraising/mike-martineau

2) By posting a cheque to Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7UG

(Please make cheques payable to ‘Martineau Gardens’)

Martineau Gardens is participating in ‘Grow Your Tenner’ with LocalGiving, which launches on 13 October at 10am. This is a brilliant opportunity for Mike’s efforts to raise even more money for Martineau Gardens, for every donation that is made on-line after 10am on Tuesday 13 October, LocalGiving  will match fund this, up to £10. To find out more about how your on-line donations can be match funded, click here. 

If you would like to know more about how Martineau Gardens helps vulnerable people and others, watch our film: https://www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/about-us/what-is-a-community-garden/

 Your support would make such a difference

Mike was also joined by Peter Arnold, Trustee for the Gardens – who also ran on Sunday – find out more here