EFDS fundraisers prepare for Sunday's Virgin Money London Marathon
With only days of preparation before the Virgin Money London Marathon, our fundraisers have been working hard for the biggest challenge of their lives so far. Twenty eager runners will take to the streets of London on Sunday 13 April- raising money for the English Federation of Disability Sport's events programme.
Let’s meet some of our 2014 runners and find out what motivated them to run for our charity.
Rob Hickey, Staffordshire, said:
Sport has played a huge part in my own life for many years. I have also had a number of years where I did not look after myself particularly well and did very little, but I realise that for my entire life sport and being active was always something I could do, and I have taken that for granted.
There are many people for whom active participation in sport would not be an option without organisations such as the English Federation of Disability Sport, and for that reason I can not think of a better charity to raise funds for.
You provide what I took for granted.
John Somerville, Gloucestershire, said:
A work colleague at the Nationwide Building Society put me in touch with EFDS, so that I could achieve my ambition in running the London Marathon. Reading about the fantastic work that the charity does gives me huge amount of pride and determination to raise as much as I can. For me to take part in sport, rain or shine, I just need to step outside my front door and go for a run. The prospect of having barriers put in my way to stop me doing that is unthinkable. So when I learnt about the difficulties that disabled people sometimes face in participating in sport, it has given me the extra motivation to go the extra few miles and support EFDS in doing something about it.
Catherine and Bethany Thorndyke, Essex, said:
I have only been running for the last 18 months and was inspired to start by my daughter Bethany. I have run various charity events at distances of 5k, 10k and a half marathon. I never imagined that I would ever run a marathon, but with Bethany by my side I know I can do it. I feel very privileged and proud to be running for EFDS.
Natalie Taylor, Cumbria, said:
I have two children - a son aged 19 and a daughter aged 17. They both have a rare muscle wasting condition - Hereditary Motor Neuropathy. It was only at the age of 10 years old that they showed signs of the condition. In the last 7 years our son has lost most of his muscle from the waist down and his hands have also weakened. He swims for the North West Disability swimming team and hopes to make the next games in Rio. Our daughter has struggled in the last six months with wasting muscle in her lower limbs and has had to give up dancing which has always been a big part of her life since she was four years old.
Running for EFDS has given me a chance to make a real difference and ensure that both my children can continue to take part in sport. It is a challenge for me and I know it won't be easy but I know I will do it.
