Virgin London Marathon 2013 Heroes
24 April 2013
Ben Gale finishes London Marathon in 4.05
Ben Gale (25) took on the challenge of a lifetime to run this year’s Virgin London Marathon and raise money for Sense, the national deafblind charity. Ben completed the gruelling 26.2 mile race in 4.05.
Ben said: “I’ve always wanted to run the London Marathon - it was an amazing experience and I’m really pleased that all the hard work paid off! I’m a Trainee Solicitor and for the last six months I’ve had to juggle 16hr work days along with the extensive training required to complete the race.
The thrill of crossing the finish line made it all worthwhile as did raising money to support deafblind people achieve their own goals.”
Help Ben Gale raise more vital funds for Sense by visiting his fundraising page which will remain open for 3 more months.
Runner in a tutu
Gary Tomkinson (55), from Bromsgrove, took on the challenge of a lifetime to run this year’s Virgin London Marathon and raise money for Sense, the national deafblind charity. Even though Gary only took up running a year ago he completed the gruelling 26.2mile race in 5.34.
Gary went the extra mile for Sense, as he had promised to wear a bright orange tutu on the day if he managed to raise £2,000. Gary said: “I’m thrilled to have raised so much money for a wonderful cause. The satisfaction of crossing the finish line was tremendous and the tutu didn’t get in the way...”
To help Gary Tomkinson raise more vital funds to help Sense support and campaign for deafblind children and adults, please visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/garytomkinson.
Nick gives something back for Sense
Nick Leonard (60), from Broomfield in Herne Bay, ran the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday for Sense, the national deafblind charity. After 14 weeks of hard training in the snow, rain and wind, Nick completed the gruelling 26.2mile race in 5.52 and managed to raise an amazing £2,000.
Nick said: “I celebrated my 60th birthday last year and I wanted to take on a final marathon challenge – my previous one was in 1986 - and raise money for a great cause. I chose Sense because some 31 years ago our twins were born nine weeks early and although, neither of them had any lasting sight or hearing problems I was very aware of the potential problems they could have had. This is my way of giving something back so that the deafblind children and adults Sense supports can get the help they need.”
To help Nick Leonard raise more vital funds for Sense, please visit: www.justgiving.com/NickLeonard
Rowing Champion finishes the Virgin London Marathon in 3.49!
Sense’s Children and Families Campaigns Officer, Jon Foster (28) who is also a former British Rowing Champion, completed the Virgin London Marathon in 3.49.
Jon said: “It was an amazing experience and I’m really pleased that all the hard work paid off! I had a couple of injuries during training, but the thrill of crossing the finish line was enormous as was raising money to support deafblind people achieve their own goals.”
Jon is hoping to raise more vital funds for Sense to help deafblind children and adults overcome the isolation that they face on a daily basis and enjoy some of the things that most people take for granted.
To sponsor him please visit www.justgiving.com/Jon-Foster1. His fundraising page will remain open for 3 more months.
Go On Sideburns Graham!
Graham Patey (43), a juggler from Milton Keynes, ran the Virgin London Marathon last Sunday for Sense, the national charity for deafblind people. Graham dyed his sideburns pink for the world famous race, which he finished in 4.30, and got the crowds shouting "Go on sideburns Graham!”
Graham said: “What an extraordinary feeling to cross that finish line and raise money for Sense. Having a Nan and Granddad who were both visually impaired and myself, being hearing impaired, it is an amazing charity to run for. Also in the course of my work I meet many children, some of whom have additional needs and it means a great deal for me to be able to support them to enjoy some of the things that most of us take for granted.”
Graham raised an astonishing £3,000 for Sense. To help Graham Patey raise more vital funds for Sense, please visit: www.virginmoneygiving.com/grahampatey
Media enquiries:
Anna Tsirmpa
Email: anna.tsirmpa@sense.org.uk
Phone: 0207 520 0965