London Marathon 2008
London Marathon 2008 
“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”
John Bingham
The FSI was amazingly lucky enough to have two fabulous runners in the London Marathon this year.
These three amazing people took up the challenge of training through the winter months, committing to keeping themselves fit and healthy, and motivating themselves to go that extra mile for charity.
26.2 miles of road, running with thousands of other entrants through the famous sites of London. A gruelling distance but an amazing atmosphere, with The FSI team out in force to keep them going!
Our huge thanks goes to Kelly Ulatowski and Dominique Swirles who not only raised a fantastic amount for The FSI’s charity work but crossed the finishing line on the Centenary year of the Marathon as true winners – both demonstrated such inspiring commitment and determination to reach their personal goals.
Gareth Beattie, our third runner, was unfortunately unwell for race day – but we hope he will be more determined than ever to race next year and put all his training into effect.
Our runners have been supported by so many friends, families and colleagues along their journeys – and our huge thanks goes out to them. Read below to find out more………..or send us your story if you helped out.
Kelly's Marathon Journey
Kelly works for A4e - The FSI is A4e's charity.
‘I accepted the challenge of running the London Marathon 2008 back in December 2007. I actually had no concept of the enormity of the task - at the time all that was present was it was about time I took on another challenge and what better one to do than this, especially when I would be raising money for some fantastic ladies that work night and day to create an amazing new charity that gives support to those smaller charities that struggle to keep going - so they train them to be sustainable.’
'I work for A4e - the company's motto is 'improving people’s lives' and our clients are the unemployed, deprived and people who struggle to get by. Nationally - fundraising has truly been embraced by both staff and clients, there have been Easter raffles, cake sales, dress down days. Two that really touched me were a sponsored walk by our Sheffield office where clients were involved and raised over £300, the other was all the London offices got together in an evening which is very rare and raised £380 at a pub quiz.
'I am moved by the amount of generosity people have.'
'I also want to thank:
My family who supported me
My running coach – my Dad, he has put up with my frustrations during training.
My boyfriend Matt has been a complete rock the whole time.
My Mum is always there for the one liners to remind me of what life is really about.
'My accomplishments make every single minute of the training and on the day worth it!'
Kelly was helped immensely by her A4e colleagues, including some great dressing up and nights out.
- A4e Holloway organised a fantastic pub quiz at North Nineteen. The generous winners of the quiz offered back their
prizes for an auction and a further £188 was raised!
- A4e High Wycombe – raffle
- A4e Matilda Street, Sheffield – sponsored walk
- A4e Lough – raffle
- A4e Newton Abbot – raffle
- More information to come………(send your stories to
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Dominique's Marathon Journey
Dominique works for UKuBid.com.
Her London Marathon journey started with a text from one of Pauline's (FSI CEO) friends:
"Pauline sends her love and do you fancy a run?"
Dominique replied yes and the rest was history!
Dominique's training "was in all weathers and in all parts of the UK - some coasts and some inner city training. 4 nights a week in Lytham St Annes Fartlet Gym - training not dissimilar to what the footballers do."
There were 10 - 15 mile bike rides at the weekend at Beacon Fell - some steep hills to challenge the legs.
"One thing from the experience is that I have now become a runner and feel that this is what I will always maintain as long as my feet will withhold the pressure of the roads."
Dominique's Thanks to:
- UPM staff for raising money by having a sweep stake on my time - half donated to The FSI
- Staff at UPM for sponsoring me
- Screen Media staff for sponsoring me
- UKuBid.com for sponsoring me with their logo on my running vest
- the sandwich shop in St Anne's as they made sure that my diet was always balanced with Protein and Carbs
- my friends and family for their support
- and The FSI for giving me this opportunity to help with their Charity Fundraising
With all of this support, The FSI can continue to do it’s important work with smaller charities – improving their long-term stability through free training, mentoring and hands-on partnerships.
This page will be updated with stories, amount raised and photos.