It’s always the quiet (noisy) ones (26/29)

So I know this guy.

 

 

 

Charlie.

 

 

 

 

And for some years Charlie and I have been encountering each other at various Horse Trials around the south east of England.

I would ask him for a coffee and a cheese and tomato toastie, and one of his excellent chocolate brownies.

He would oblige, and then we’d talk about sport, the weather or just exchange gentle insults.

In recent weeks Charlie and I have begun to follow each other on Twitter.

Having that channel of communication has given me a new level of understanding of Charlie.

Yes, he’s still the same sports-obsessive sports-knowledgeable guy; capable of holding a conversation about, it seems, any sport at any level.

And yes, I’m sure he’s still the same purveyor of coffee and toasties and top class chocolate brownies.

But what I’ve learned about Charlie is that he is doing an amazing thing, to raise money for Spinal Research.

And when I say that Charlie is doing an amazing thing, I mean he’s doing two three four amazing things this year.

Amazing thing the 1st:
Charlie is a volunteer steward at the 2012 Paralympics. That’s a pretty cool thing to do.

Amazing thing the 2nd:
Charlie is running in the London Marathon in March 2012, to raise funds for Spinal Research. That’s pretty cool and amazing.

Amazing thing the 3rd:
Charlie is running in the New York Marathon in November 2012, to raise funds for Spinal Research. Again. That’s pretty cool and amazing again.

Amazing thing the 4th:
Charlie has set himself the goal to run 2,012 miles in 2012.

Let’s be honest.

Any of these things?

Pretty amazing.

All of them?

Pretty awesome.

Anyway, I am supporting, in contributing to and helping raise awareness for, two charitable causes this year.

Charlie, and his efforts, are one of them.

If you think what Charlie is doing, you can support him too, by clicking on this link and making a donation.

Thanks.