DB Openhand Magazine_June2017

London Marathon 2017
On 23rd April a six-strong team of runners laced up their
trainers and set off around the 26.2 mile course to run the
Virgin Money London Marathon for Deafblind UK.
Each running
for their own
personal reasons,
the team have so far
raised over £13,000
for Deafblind UK
– a truly amazing
result!
One runner, Annabelle from
Weybridge, completed the race
in an impressive four hours
and 23 minutes having raised
over £2,500 for Deafblind UK.
At the finish line she told us:
“I can’t believe I’ve done it! It
was such a long way but the
support was amazing on route
and we couldn’t have asked
for better weather!” Annabelle
chose to run for Deafblind
UK because her grandfather
Norman lived a large part of
his life with no sight and no
hearing. “When I told
Annabelle at
the London
Marathon finish
Grandad I’d
been lucky
enough to
land a place
running for
Deafblind
UK, he was so thrilled for
me! He was very honoured to
have been the motivation and
inspiration to raise money for
people with his condition
– especially those who are
less fortunate than him.”
Said Annabelle.
Matt at the London
Marathon finish
Another runner, Patrick from
Romford ran said: “I know
the difference that Deafblind
UK has made to my Uncle
Matthew’s life. It is such a good
cause. Matthew is so proud that
I am running the Marathon and
that I am doing it for Deafblind
UK.” Patrick, who had become
a Dad just two days before,
finished the marathon in four
hours and 30 minutes.
Annabelle and Patrick were
joined by Wouter, Claire,
Paul and Matt who all
finished the gruelling course
in good time having dedicated
months to training and
fundraising. Claire, from
Peterborough ploughed her
infectious
energy into fundraising events
in the run up to
the race and
is now well
known for her
three-hour
spinathons!
Claire at
the London
Marathon finish
Wouter at
the London
Marathon finish
Wouter,
also from
Peterborough,
set up ‘tuckshops’
selling cakes
and sweets to
his colleagues at work. His
employer, Peterborough based
BGL Group has also kindly
agreed to match whatever
he raised, making a huge
contribution to the overall total.
Barbara Burnett, Community
and Individual Fundraising
Manager said:
“We are so proud of all our
runners; not only for taking
on the daunting challenge
of the London Marathon,
but also for their dedicated
training and fundraising
which can often be as big a
challenge as the race itself.
Their fundraising will have
a significant impact on the
work of Deafblind UK.”
We are now searching for runners to take part in the Virgin
Money London Marathon 2018 so if you know of any budding
runners who might like to join our team, please contact us or
visit ww.deafblind.org.uk/london-marathon.
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