Elite Marathon runner and CAPS patron, Fiona Oakes, runs for CAPS

Fiona is certainly someone who 'walks the walk' - or in her case, 'runs the run'! And we are so pleased that she is running in the 2009 Flora London Marathon on Sunday 26th April, to raise much-needed funds for our campaigns. This marathon attracts around 40,000 competitors, tens of thousands of spectators along its route, and is broadcast to millions.

CAPS patron, Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay, is putting his weight behind fellow patron, Fiona, in her efforts to compete in next year’s London Marathon, on behalf of CAPS.

Jay said: "I'm fully behind Fiona in this. She’s committed to raising awareness of captive animal issues and much-needed funding for CAPS, by running this marathon. I’d encourage everyone to sponsor her". Jay added this: "It's amazing in this day and age, that we still think it OK to lock animals up in circuses and zoos, or keep exotic animals as pets. Animals are not on this planet for our entertainment or idle curiosity”.

Despite running an animal sanctuary in Essex (Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary), with over 400 animals, almost single-handedly, she still manages to find time in her 24/7 life for other passions. One of these is competing in marathons.

But Fiona is no ordinary marathon runner. As an elite women’s marathon runner, Fiona is up there with the big names in this sport. Despite not being classed as a professional, Fiona still has an amazing best time of 2 hours 38 minutes! She won the prestigious Essex Championship race in 2007 (with a partially collapsed lung!), shaving 10 minutes off of the previous record. Coming 4th and 8th in the Florence and Amsterdam Marathons, respectively, and within the first 20 finishers in London and Berlin, would be phenomenal for any marathon runner of her standing. However, add to this, the fact that Fiona has no knee caps and has run a marathon with two broken ribs, then you can start to understand how truly special and determined this woman is!

Fiona is now training hard, running 100 miles each week, in all weather, to prepare herself for this marathon and to raise funds for CAPS.

Fiona is now training hard, running 100 miles each week, in all weather, to prepare herself for this marathon and to raise funds for CAPS.

Sponsor Fiona NOW

Please make every effort to sponsor Fiona, to help fund CAPS’ vital work - and encourage family, friends and colleagues to do so.

Please download a copy of the sponsorship form here. Click here for another great way to sponsor Fiona via the Bmycharity web site.

Please remember, that all sponsorship money we receive from UK taxpayers is worth an extra 28p in the pound through Gift Aid!