2 Isle of Wight Council staff members are getting set for a Marathon challenge this spring, in aid of charity.
Commercial services manager, Sean Newton, is running the Bath Half marathon on 4th March to raise funds for the Wessex Cancer Trust. Hot on his heels is Allan Bridges, 1Leisure sales manager, who is raising much needed money for the Ron Pickering Memorial Foundation at the London Marathon on 22nd April.
Sean, 52, chose the Wessex Cancer Trust as it provided support for his partner following diagnosis of breast cancer and throughout the subsequent treatment.
“I’ve run the Bath Half Marathon on seven previous occasions, many of these were raising funds for national charities; however, as it was two years since my last effort, I felt that it was time to pull on the running shoes again and run it for a charity I had a close personal connection with.
“The Wessex Cancer Trust provides invaluable support and assistance to people in the most difficult of times and truly makes a difference to lives.
“By race day I will have completed a ten week training plan for intermediate level runners. This will have involved three runs each week, made up of two shorter but quicker runs with a longer third run each weekend.”
Meanwhile 42-year-old Allan has put in a foot blistering 150 miles since the beginning of the year as part of his training. He said:
“I chose the Ron Pickering Memorial Foundation as it strives to make sure athletes between 15 and 23 achieve their potential by awarding grants to go towards coaching and equipment.
Article continues below this advertisement “I love all sport and fully believe that helping people achieve their potential in any walk of life is a gift I’d like to help with. I am by no means a natural runner – my asthma makes me wheeze – but if I can cross the line on the day and beat my previous Marathon time, I know I will have done everything possible to raise funds and beat my own targets.”
Congratulating the staff on their charity challenges, Cabinet member for environment and heritage, Councillor John Hobart, said:
“I would like to wish Allan and Sean all the best in their marathons and it is great to see council staff, including members of our 1Lesiure team setting a great example on personal fitness for such good causes. I wish them good luck and that they raise their fundraising targets.”
As part of their fundraising, both Sean and Allan have both set up fund raising pages. If you would like to support them through a donation:
Sean Newton – The Wessex Cancer Trust https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/sean-newton8
Allan Bridges – The Ron Pickering Foundation https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/allan-bridges-SAVMLMBONDS3332017-86602070
