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Jessie Coles loved athletics. The two things in the world she most wanted was to win an Olympic gold medal and to be a bridesmaid. When her athletics teacher, Debs, asked her to be a bridesmaid at her wedding Jessie was thrilled.
“I can’t give you an Olympic gold medal but I can make you a bridesmaid,” said Debs with a smile.
“There’s one big condition,” added Jack the groom. “We’re all running to the registry office!”
Jessie laughed. She thought Debs and Jack were teasing.
“Running to a wedding? That would be funny!”
“We’re serious,” said Debs. “On Saturday April 14th Jack and I want to do three things. One, get married. Two, run in the local half marathon and three, raise money for the children’s new hospital.”
Jessie stared at Jack and Debs.
“How are you going to do all of those things in one day” she gasped.
“We’re having a sponsored wedding run!” laughed Jack.
“We plan to run to the registry office,” Debs explained. “We’ll ask our guests to sponsor us and all the money we make will go to the children’s new hospital!”
Jessie couldn’t believe her ears. She desperately wanted to be a bridesmaid and wear a floaty silk dress with satin slippers and flowers in her hair. She couldn’t run a half marathon in fancy, frilly clothes!
“What will you wear?” she asked.
“My running kit of course,” laughed Debs.
“What will I wear?” Jessie added nervously.
“The same, running kit and trainers,” Debs replied. When she saw Jessie’s disappointed expression she quickly added. “We’ll change into wedding clothes after the run – promise!”
Jessie smiled with relief. “YES!” she cried excitedly. “I’d love to be your sporty bridesmaid!”
The wedding arrangements were very complicated. First, they had to check the exact route of the half marathon run, particularly where it started and where it finished. Debs was thrilled when she found out that it ended in the town centre, quite close to the registry office.
“That’s perfect!” she cried. “We could leave our wedding clothes at the registry office and change there.”
“We’d better check that with the registrar,” said Jack.
Luckily the registrar was a big supporter of the children’s new hospital and volunteered to give up his own room for the bridal party to change in. He also became their first official sponsor.
“I’ll sponsor you a pound for every mile you run,” he said.
“That’ll be thirteen pounds if we finish the course,” gasped Jessie,
The registrar smiled.
“Worth every penny. Can I have a sponsor form?”
“We haven’t got any yet,” Debs told him.
“Well, now you’ve fixed the date and booked the wedding I think you should sort out who’s going to collect the sponsor money,” joked the registrar.
Debs turned to Jessie and laughed. “I think that will have to be my sporty bridesmaid!”
Just as Jessie started thinking about bridesmaids’ dresses Debs started worrying about her trainers!
“They’ve got to fit well and not rub against my heels. I don’t want to be limping up the aisle with blisters on my feet!” she said to Jessie, as she and Jack examined nearly every pair of trainers in the sports shop.
“That goes for you too, Jessie,” added Jack. “We can’t have you hobbling after Debs! I’m going to buy you the best pair of running shoes in the shop!”
Jessie was thrilled to have a pair of flashy mauve and white trainers. They made her feel like she was running on air! Jack and Debs bought matching running outfits, pure white silky shorts and vests, and a new mauve and white kit for Jessie. As they queued in the sports shop to pay their bill Jessie asked the question that had been worrying her for days.
“What if I can’t run the whole course?”
“That’s not a problem, we don’t expect you to.” said Debs.
“Who will look after me if I stop before the end of the run?” she asked.
“Your mum and dad will be following the race in your camper van. You can hop in with them if you’re tired. I’ve told them to bring lots of water for you to drink. We certainly don’t want you dehydrated for the wedding.”
Jessie suddenly had a brilliant idea. “You know, I could get changed in the camper van. It’s got everything, even a shower!”
“That’s a very good idea,” said Debs. “Then you can drive in style to the registry office.”
“I wish I could do the whole half marathon with you two,” said Jessie wistfully.
“No way!” said Jack firmly. “We don’t want our sporty bridesmaid exhausted before the wedding takes place.”
Mrs Coles came to help Debs and Jessie choose their wedding dresses.
“I don’t want anything fussy,” said