Staff to Participate in London Marathon

The New Year has a fresh set of challenges for two members of staff who have recently learnt that they have been allocated places at this years London Marathon and now have just 16 weeks to prepare themselves for the challenge.

Helen Coney, Arts Centre Manager and Jayne Griffiths, Academic Secretary have begun a daily fitness routine at lunchtime in the Schools gym to help with their fitness as well as running around the Meres and beyond in their bid to be at their peak of fitness in time for the Marathon in April.

Running for the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopedic Hospital, Jaynes additional challenge is to raise a minimum of 1,500 to secure her place in the Marathon. Helen, however, has been allocated a balloted place which means that she has been able to choose the charities she supports with her participation. They are Macmillan Cancer Relief, Everyman, a charity that supports medical research into prostate cancer, Parkinsons Disease Society and The Little Princess Trust, a charity that raises funds to provide wigs to children who have lost hair due to illness.

Both Jayne and Helen are very upbeat about the challenge that participating in the Marathon presents them both individually and have taken to fitness drive with much determination.

Jayne explained The Marathon will be a real challenge for me since it will be my first full marathon and besides preparing for it physically, I have the added challenge of the fundraising aspect. However, I am delighted that the Orthopedic Hospital has accepted me as one of their team of runners and will do my very best to contribute to their fundraising efforts by completing my first London Marathon.

Helen added, I have thought about participating in the London Marathon for many years. Im running the marathon in memory of my Uncle Tony who died of Cancer last year and he completed the London marathon himself around 15 years ago. All the of the charities are very important to me as they have helped various members of my family over the years and through my participation in this years London Marathon, I am aiming to give something back to them.

Ian Williams, Director of Sport, added, Jayne and Helen will receive every support from the PE team to keep them motivated as they prepare themselves for the Marathon and we all wish them well over the coming weeks.

11th January 2010  Back to News