Hi my name is Wayne Manser and on Sunday 23rd November 2025 I will be running the Larking Norwich Half Marathon with my very good friend James (Jimmy) Dale.

Over the past 18 months what started as meeting up with a gentle plod around Whittingham Lake (Trowse) Norwich, has now turned into the very real prospect of running a half marathon.

We would both be very thankful if you you were able to donate to our chosen charities (see below) during a time when finances are hard, every penny helps, no matter how large or small. Your support will certainly help when we get to the apparently dreaded 12 mile hill.... CAN'T WAIT !!!!!!!!!

When deciding on what charity to run for, it was so difficult to choose just one as we have both had lots of challenges in our life's that warrant a charity that we can help, so we have decided to run for a number of different charities that hopefully we can give a little back to. If I have not bored you then you will understand the reason behind each choice of charity below and the story.

PoTS UK - https://www.potsuk.org

ME - https://www.actionforme.org.uk/supporting-you/what-is-me

British Heart Foundation - https://www.bhf.org.uk

The BIG C - https://www.big-c.co.uk

Alzheimer's Society - https://www.alzheimers.org.uk

PoTS & ME

In February 2011, my wife (Emma) became really ill with what we thought was just some kind of virus, 8 months down the line after lots of tests she was diagnosed with PoTS (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). To this day Emma still suffers with PoTS and will do for the rest of her life. I'm not going to go into what PoTS is as I would love it if you would all click the link above so you can see what we deal with on a daily basis.

As well as suffering with PoTS, Emma was also diagnosed with ME and together the chronic fatigue that she suffers with has been life changing.

One of the things that we loved doing which helped Emma relax was to go on holiday, just over 3 years ago on a trip to Majorca we both picked up Covid, unfortunately for Emma she is still living with it (Long Covid) which in turn has triggered her PoTS & ME to a level where she is 100% house bound and around 65% bed bound.

British Heart Foundation

I was born with a leaky valve in my heart and with yearly monitoring always knew that I would have to have an operation. Just over 4 years ago that day arrived and I had major heart surgery at Papworth where they replaced my leaky valve with a mechanical aortic valve of the heart. During Pre operation tests they also found that I had an aneurism on my valve which would need removing....Operation was successful was discharged after a week... a few days of being home I was then rushed back into hospital as i had fluid around the heart and lungs for further surgery. Without there expertise I would not be hear today and certainly not in a condition to run a Half Marathon. This charity is very close to my heart ( No pun) as my Dad also had the same operation a a number of years ago.

The Big C

Cancer effects nearly everyone in one way or another and you will know what an amazing charity the Big C are.

Unfortunately my running partner Jimmy, lost his Dad to cancer a number of years ago, an awful disease that spread so quickly and took his life far to young.

My Mother in Law was also diagnosed with stomach cancer in December 2024, 8 rounds of chemo and an operation to remove her stomach down the line and she is fighting on.

And Lastly

Alzheimer's society

Again another charity where we both have Family & Friends who are either suffering or have suffered with Alzheimer's & Dementia. So any amount we can raise to help will go a long way.

Thanks again for reading the above, we really appreciate your time and hopefully we can raise some money for 5 amazing charities that are part of mine ( Wayne) & Jimmy's life.

Due to the fact we are supporting a number of charities then I have had to create a Go Fund me account, all donations will be split evenly after the event.

Regards

Wayne & Jimmy