Belle de Jour had been the nom de plume of the famous British erotic author. Last year, Belle revealed she is Dr. Brooke Magnanti, of Bristol, England, a noted scientist. Brooke works at the Bristol Initiative for Research of Child Health, and is currently part of a team researching the potential effects on babies of their mothers' exposure to toxic chemicals.
But, from 2003 to late 2004, Brooke worked as a high-class call girl for a London escort service. She has written an award-winning blog and several books based on her experiences as a high-end call-girl in the sex industry.
On Sunday, May 9, Brooke will run in the renowned 2010 Bristol 10k race in her home town, Bristol, England. She announced her participation today on Twitter and also on her blog.
She is seeking sponsors for her participation in the run, and all of the money she raises will go to the non-profit Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre. The charity is one of two featured in this year’s 10k race. Anyone interested in sponsoring Brooke should go to her race webpage that is dedicated to the event.
The race route is similar to the Bristol Half Marathon that Brooke participated in last month, when she raised money for a different worthy charity. This race also uses a car-free course, starting from At-Bristol, along the harborside, then follows the Avon Gorge and Cumberland Road, returning to At-Bristol via Prince Street Bridge. For runners also planning to take part in the half marathon, it offers a great training opportunity to experience a short version of the course.
The website of the 2010 Bristol 10k proudly proclaims: “Runners of all abilities, from novices to elite, are being invited to ‘runbristol.’”
On her sponsorship webpage, Brooke writes:
“I’d guess you'd say this is getting to be a bad habit...!
I'm running the Bristol 10k this month, because I clearly didn't learn my lesson at the Shef Half in April, when I was beaten by The Incredible Hulk, Radioactive Man, and a Puerto Rican chicken. Or any of the runs before that... even though to date I have been beaten at races by Scooby Doo, Buzz Lightyear, a giant kidney, and pipped to the post by a man in a banana suit.
I'm running to raise money for the Above & Beyond Charities CaRE Appeal.
Why? Well, because I used to work in the Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre, until the renovations renovated us right out into another hospital. The BHOC is a good facility filled with caring, professional staff, and it needs updating. The fantastic work done by those who work there should be matched by equally excellent and up-to-date surroundings.
With 1 in 3 people being diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime, it is a disease which affects nearly all families. The Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre (BHOC) opened in 1971 and cares for over 6,500 individuals diagnosed with cancer every year, with up to 1,000 visitors passing through the Centre each day.
You can help make a difference to patients and families by donating. And think of it this way – I'm running so you don't have to!
Thank you again for your support. I've seen firsthand the difference the appeal is already making, and know the goals of the appeal can be accomplished.
all the best
Bxx”
Brooke ran the Sheffield Half Marathon to benefit Sheffield Working Women’s Opportunities Project and posted on Twitter afterward on April 26:
‘Just under 2:06. Beaten by Incredible Hulk, Radioactive Man and a chicken. Not bad for no training though!”
You may still make a sponsorship donation to benefit the Sheffield Working Women’s Opportunities Project in Brooke's name.
(Note: The Above & Beyond Charities supports the work of the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), Bristol Children’s Hospital, St. Michaels Hospital, Bristol General Hospital, Bristol Haematology & Oncology Centre, Bristol Eye Hospital, Bristol Dental Hospital, Bristol Homeopathic Hospital and Clevedon Hospital.
Above & Beyond Charities funds projects which touch the lives of the thousands of people cared for by University Hospitals Bristol and local community services each year.
Last year the Charity gave over £2.2 million in grants to make a real difference to healthcare in Bristol and the South West.
Please follow this link to support the 'CaREAppeal'.)
Since she disclosed her identity, Brooke has been able to bring her celebrity to worthy causes. She’s participated in the half-marathon before to support non-profit charities, but no one knew that she was also the illustrious Belle de Jour.
On April 27, Brooke announced she is “taking indefinite hiatus from Twitter and blog.” I expect she will return better than ever, with even more entertaining, thought provoking and unforgettable writing about anything and everything.
In the meantime, I continue to applaud Brooke’s charity endeavors and re-read her books, Belle de Jour: Diary of an Unlikely Call Girl
. Not only is she a talented and gifted writer, she is a woman with strong social convictions and true compassion. Cheers, m’dear!— The Curator
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